Let me join the chorus of those who are recommending the Coen brothers new film Burn After Reading. I laughed throughout movie, I laughed on the way home recounting my favorite lines, and I'm laughing this morning as I write this short review.
This movie worked for me because of the characters and dialogue. The story itself was a bit thin, but as a vehicle for these memorable characters and their sparkling dialogue it was great. All the roles were well acted but a few really stood out for me. Brad Pitt as Chad, played the role usually reserved for a ditzy blond and he was great. Gum chewing and pod eared, by the end of the movie you forgot it was Brad Pitt, had he worn a wig you would have mistaken him for a Valley Girl. Frances McDormand, of Fargo fame, proved the adage that perseverance, even when it should have no chance of succeeding sometimes does. You could summarize her life as "against all odds." The CIA boss J.K. Simmons, the father in Juno, was also a high point, his blank delivery of the darkest of comedic lines was spot on. And finally John Malkovich a character I found myself most closely identifying with was wonderful, his "I've been dealing with idiots all my life," resonated with me.
George Clooney and Tilda Swinton as Harry Pfarrer and Katie Cox also had many fine moments, but it was the four above that I'll remember with fondness when think about this movie.
let me join the chorus of appreciators of coen bros. movies in general. "the big lebowski" and "oh brother, where art thou" are both in my top 20 of ALL TIME (which is saying a lot- i'm a bit of a movie buff) and "no country for old men" recently, after a fourth viewing and much rumination, also made it on that list. i owe the impetus to go see it to you, norm- when it first came out you posted a clip and i was intrigued. the movie turned out to have so much depth i needed to see it more than once before i understood just how good it was, and that puts it in a pretty small, elite category. i'm really looking foward to seeing this new one. i haven't been able to check out the blog much lately, but if you haven't posted a clip yet,and can get your hands on one (chosen by you as being particularly pithy) i'd love to see it.
btw, i wondered if you knew that francis mcdormand is married to one of the coens,joel i think. she was a theatre major at my college when i was hanging out a lot with the "theatre fags" (as they were affectionately known at the time). i once had the honor of being in a circle of people passing a joint around that she was part of. she passed, i think. :) and also transferred to another college(i think). i like to think her role in "almost famous" (another one of my absolute faves) was influenced by my dad, who was one of her professors, and the precocious kid in that flick is a dead ringer for...never mind.
so, is this what a "forum" is? a place to babble shamelessly? or am i taking advantage?
This is exactly what a forum is for, babbling is good. There's nothing to be afraid of.
I haven't watched Big Brother, for awhile I think it needs revisiting. I too enjoyed Almost Famous
Oh, jeez if I get started on the Lebowski quotes it could get dangerous.
It's the ten year anniversary you know.
I should go see this film
Coen brothers are the best! I didn't even realize this was one of theirs until you put this up (I have some kind of pop culture gap these days). Don't forget Fargo and Miller's Crossing (now when I hear Danny Boy for any reason - and it's weird how often you do hear it - I think of that incredible scene with Albert Finney).... But yes - the Big Lebowski, Brother Where Art Thou - so funny!!! (Brother was the movie that made me like George Clooney for the first time.)
Saw it. Funny shit.
Arrrggh! Burn After is gone from Des Moines. Wtf? The critics not like it? Hopefully it'll come back to the discount theater.
Everything John Goodman says in "Lebowski" is comic gold. It gets funnier every time I see it.
NSFW:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ED4VL7W6VdQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3WcfO7mI2o