Burn After Reading

This was one of those "smart" comedies that are never laugh-out-loud funny but always get praised unanimously by critics and film elitists. It also happened to be a pretty dark comedy. Think of it as being something like Fargo set in DC. It's a Coen brothers movie, after all, something I was totally unaware of (somehow) until watching it just now. And like almost every other Coen brothers movie I can think of, this one was an entertaining ride that twisted and turned but ultimately ended without any real resolution. I'm not complaining; I more or less saw such an ending (or lack thereof) coming, and the acting, direction, and cinematography were fantastic. George Clooney was very entertaining in his role as an idiotic U.S. Marshal and John Malkovich stole the show as an irate and pathetic ex-CIA analyst. Frances McDormand (Fargo's breakout star, Marge the pregnant police chief) was just as pleasantly surprising this time around as an aging and insecure gym trainer who goes to great lengths (including selling government secrets to the Russians) for the sake of financing some cosmetic surgery. Rounding out the main cast were Tilda Swinton (same cold and bitchy role she always plays) and Brad Pitt (unfortunately an egregious miscast for the role of a thick-headed and childish gym trainer). Brad Pitt had a number of great moments as Chad the meathead, but I attribute these to the screenplay's writing more than his acting. It just seemed like he was uncomfortable acting so foolishly, and that's a shame because great actors should be capable of playing all kinds of roles. Look at Matt Damon and the number of morons he's played in his lifetime, for instance. Even George Clooney said in an interview regarding his role that he's "done playing idiots" now. Really, man? Come on. What's with this "above acting stupid" vanity from the two leads from the Ocean's trilogy? Regardless, the movie was still pretty good and I think it's worth the ninety minutes it takes to view it. Just don't expect a decent ending. Expect a Coen brothers ending. No Country For Old Men. The Big Lebowski. You know the drill.