Burn After Reading (2008) Review

Burn After Reading will surprise movie-goers, please Coen Brothers fans
The previews for this film gives the impression of a zany comedy;  Brad Pitt as a hyped-up fitness trainer is going to sell a lot of tickets.   But if you don't know what you're getting into, 20 minutes after the film starts, you're going to lean over and whisper, "I thought this was a comedy." 

Joel and Ethan Coen, the film-making brothers who specialize in darkly comedic films (Fargo, O Brother Where Art Thou?, The Big Lebowski, The Hudsucker Proxy, Raising Arizona) have, with this script, pointed their laser light on two targets:  America's penchant for easy money, and the ineptitude of government bureaucracy.  

The Cast
Casting favorite Coen Bros movie leads Frances McDormand and George Clooney is always a good start.  You can't get any darker than a ticked-off John Malkovich, who adds to the film's suspense and tension.  And casting Brad Pitt as an idiot was a stroke of genius. Pitt has been successfully stretching his acting chops in recent years;  this was a fun turn.  Tilda Swinton plays a bitch so artfully I am convinced she's a reptile.  Viewers will recognize Six Feet Under's Richard Jenkins in his Sad Sack role and J. K. Simmons from The Closer and Juno.
  
The Plot
I will never be a spoiler;  I don't even read reviews before I see a film in case someone tells me too much.  Just know that this film definitely has its funny moments but they will be cloaked in the reality of the human condition.  We are flawed, pure and simple.  Some of us are stupid.  Some of us are pathetic.  Many of us are lonely.  Most of us aren't confident.  If you can't live with that, you better sign up for an Adam Sandler movie.  Burn After Reading is dark and somewhat violent, but the laughs are big when they come.  Seeing loverboy Clooney run around with him purple wedge cushion (not unlike Linus' blanket) is one of the odd little bits of business that sticks with you.   I saw a similar one yesterday in my physical therapist's office and burst out laughing.  

The Bottom Line:  Libby Loves It!