If you haven’t seen “Burn After Reading” yet, you should soon before this “R” rated comedy-drama from the Academy Award Winning Cohen Brothers is no longer in theaters. 
(* BUT BE CAREFUL ABOUT TAKING KIDS TO THIS ONE: THIS MOVIE IS LOADED WITH ADULT THEMES AND BAD LANGUAGE *)

People like to throw around the term “cast of characters”… but “Burn After Reading” really is a GREAT group of quirky and clearly defined characters !!!!

“Burn After Reading”

(2008) (rated: R for pervasive language, some sexual content and violence) (1 hr, 35 min)

Starring: Brad Pitt, Frances McDormand, George Clooney, John Malkovich, Tilda Swinton, Richard Jenkins, J.K. Simmons, David Rasche

Genre: Comedy/Crime/Drama

The Plot: A disk containing the memoirs of a CIA agent ends up in the hands of two unscrupulous gym employees who attempt to sell it.

MY TAKE (very minor spoilers):

There’s a reason why I went with my gut recommending this movie *before* I saw it …. all the makings were there (written and Directed by Joel and Ethan Cohen, a great cast, and a trailer that pulls you into the theater) and the audience is paid off !!!

I was captivated from the opening scene with Malkovich to the final scene with Simmons and Rasche.

This is one of the best ensemble casts I’ve seen in a long time… there were no wasted roles for any of the main speaking parts:
Brad Pitt is great as a goofy gym-trainer wanna-be spy…

George Clooney is right on as a charming ladies man, but gun shy treasury department employee…

Frances McDormand delivers as a gym employee tragically desperate for cosmetic surgery and a man who can make her laugh…

John Malkovich doesn’t disappoint as an intense, but alcoholic/psychotic CIA agent…

Tilda Swinton is perfect as a cold and direct wife and doctor…

Richard Jenkins is right on target as the timid gym manager…

and J.K. Simmons and David Rasche are great as CIA Officials with a perfect Abrahams-Zucker style of sarcastic seriousness that has you waiting for their next moment of wit trying steal each other’s scene.

With all these great characters and performances, it makes me think about the Academy Awards… but then you have to wonder who they could nominate.. because there can’t be more than one in each category… so let me make some nomination predictions: McDormand nominated for Best Actress, Swinton nominated for Best Supporting Actress, and Malkovich nominated for Best Supporting Actor… I wouldn’t be surprised if Clooney was nominated, but I’m not sure he’s one of the best in a leading actor role I’ve seen this year… and there’s 2 1/2 months worth of movies still to come.

But its not just the great and seemingly effortless performances that make “Burn After Reading” great… its also the story which starts out a little slow and simple, then speeds up and winds its way into a layered working of excellent storytelling. 

THE BOTTOM LINE: 

The writing is tight, the editing is good, the characters are great, the photography is solid, the limited effects are not distracting and all of the little things you might have missed – like the little squeak we hear when Brad Pitt’s character is breathing through his broken nose while hiding in a closet - are perfect.   

Its hard to say anything bad about this movie… but when you are Joel and Ethan Cohen sometimes you take chances while trying to make movie moments that are memorable… in ”Burn After Reading” there are plenty, but they will also be offensive or over-the-top for many viewers… I give it 8.5 out of 10…. with no doubt that at least one of the members of this ensemble cast, the script, and probably the Directors will be nominated for an Academy Award.

So what did you think?  Please post a comment!

“Burn After Reading” poster courtesy Focus Features

** CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT MY OTHER MOVIE REVIEWS **

Follow me on twitter: http://twitter.com/aaronlafferty