It came as a surprise to some that the Coen brothers released their latest film, “Burn After Reading,” in smaller, independent venues. After the critical success of “No Country for Old Men,” one might have expected a wider release to mainstream audiences. After seeing it, these expectations disappear. “Burn After Reading” is indie to the core and all the better for it.
The story follows ex-CIA analyst Osborne Cox (John Malkovich), trapped in a loveless marriage to Katie (Tilda Swinton). In preparation for a divorce so that she can be with her secret lover Harry (George Clooney), Katie makes a copy of her husband’s financial data. Unfortunately, she accidentally copies his memoirs and the disk gets into the hands of the clueless and unscrupulous gym employees Linda (Frances McDormand) and Chad (Brad Pitt), who mistake it for raw intelligence data and attempt to sell it to the highest bidder. The only problem is there are no bidders.
What follows is, to put it simply, hilarious.
The Coens have assembled an all-star cast. Clooney, fresh off an Oscar win for best actor, portrays a paranoid womanizer as well as that role has ever been portrayed. McDormand’s character is intriguing in her simplicity. Malkovich is absolutely wonderful as an ex-spook who does NOT have a drinking problem. Swinton’s character seems more like a plot device than anything else, which is a shame given her talents. Pitt’s endearingly idiotic personal trainer steals the show, however. Viewers will find themselves laughing out loud whenever he is onscreen.
The Coen brothers proved long ago they have the talent for comedy, having written and directed “The Big Lebowski” back in 1998. “Burn After Reading” is at once both wonderfully similar and a unique work. Fans of the cult classic will find a lot to love in this new film.
“Burn After Reading” is a witty, irreverent spy thriller comedy about what might happen if everybody lies to everybody else about everything, most of the liars are idiots, and at least one of the liars has an itchy trigger finger. Do yourself a favor: find one of the theaters playing this film and see it as soon as possible.
