Burn After ReadingRated R
Running time: 1 hr 36 mins
Cast:
George Clooney
Frances McDormand
John Malkovich
Brad Pitt
Tilda Swinton
Critical Consensus:
***1/2 out of *****
(79% Fresh Rating!)
Mikey @ The Movies Official Rating:
**** out of *****
The Premise:
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 REVIEW
'Burn After Reading' is essentially a film whose story has absolutely no purpose for existing. By the end, it literally goes nowhere and we end basically where we began. The characters aren't anyone that important in the world and all they are is a vehicle to drive this virtually pointless film. 'Burn After Reading' is a great film, and I am not being sarcastic.
Everything I said above is true. This is a movie with no important story, but I think that was the point. It was almost a satirical or spoof film. Basically two characters come across a CD containing the memoirs of an ex-CIA analyst, and they try to blackmail him in order to get a crud load of money. The information on the CD is really nothing top secret, yet these two nobodies think it is. We also have the storyline of said analyst and his life going downhill fast. His wife is sleeping with a married and overly paranoid treasury agent.
This may all sound like it is going somewhere interesting, but it never really does. But the writing of this film is outstanding and by the end I really didn't care that the story went nowhere. The characters, while having no grave importance in the grand scheme of things, are incredibly entertaining. It's a story that you really can never take seriously, and I also think that was the point. You can't take the characters seriously, so why do the same to the story? So what we are left with is a highly engaging and entertaining film. It's not a stupid story, just a pointless one. And personally I thought it worked brilliantly.
This has to be one of the most fun and "intelligent" comedies I've seen this year. The humor is very witty and smart. I don't think a lot of audiences would get the comedy, because today we are used to raunchy sex comedies coming out every two months. It's very refreshing to a have a comedy where the humor is never over the top or to much to handle. It's not just joke after joke, the movie takes breaks. The writing was done so well to bring this comedy to the story, but it was in the characters where all the real fun happened.
This film has an incredible cast. One of the most talented of the year in my opinion. Oscar nominee John Malkovich (In the Line of Fire, Changeling) plays the ex-analyst. He's a bit vulgar, but man was he great! He does an awesome job of really making you hate this character, but at the same time just love to watch him. Oscar winner George Clooney (Syriana, Michael Clayton) is not an actor I love as much as everyone else. He is talented, but I think over rated. However, he was perfect for this role. This had to be my favorite Clooney performance. Really great. Oscar winner Frances McDormand (Fargo, Almost Famous) was amazing! I've always been a big fan! She was so far out of her normal zone I feel like, and it was so good! Funny performance too! I think the highlight of the performances was Oscar nominee Brad Pitt (Twelve Monkeys, Babel). I think all the main actors were out of their element in this film (and in a good way) but Pitt was like I've never seen him before. His character was so stupid and bubbly, that you just love the guy! I cannot believe Pitt is not garnering any attention for this performance, I think it's one of the best supporting roles of the year! Also like to point out that J.K. Simmons (Juno, Spiderman) has a really funny limited role!
Burn After Reading is just a super fun movie that you don't have to take seriously. At the same time, it's oddly believable. It's on DVD now, if you like a good cast, or a funny story, this is a movie for you! I loved it!
Everything I said above is true. This is a movie with no important story, but I think that was the point. It was almost a satirical or spoof film. Basically two characters come across a CD containing the memoirs of an ex-CIA analyst, and they try to blackmail him in order to get a crud load of money. The information on the CD is really nothing top secret, yet these two nobodies think it is. We also have the storyline of said analyst and his life going downhill fast. His wife is sleeping with a married and overly paranoid treasury agent.
This may all sound like it is going somewhere interesting, but it never really does. But the writing of this film is outstanding and by the end I really didn't care that the story went nowhere. The characters, while having no grave importance in the grand scheme of things, are incredibly entertaining. It's a story that you really can never take seriously, and I also think that was the point. You can't take the characters seriously, so why do the same to the story? So what we are left with is a highly engaging and entertaining film. It's not a stupid story, just a pointless one. And personally I thought it worked brilliantly.
This has to be one of the most fun and "intelligent" comedies I've seen this year. The humor is very witty and smart. I don't think a lot of audiences would get the comedy, because today we are used to raunchy sex comedies coming out every two months. It's very refreshing to a have a comedy where the humor is never over the top or to much to handle. It's not just joke after joke, the movie takes breaks. The writing was done so well to bring this comedy to the story, but it was in the characters where all the real fun happened.
This film has an incredible cast. One of the most talented of the year in my opinion. Oscar nominee John Malkovich (In the Line of Fire, Changeling) plays the ex-analyst. He's a bit vulgar, but man was he great! He does an awesome job of really making you hate this character, but at the same time just love to watch him. Oscar winner George Clooney (Syriana, Michael Clayton) is not an actor I love as much as everyone else. He is talented, but I think over rated. However, he was perfect for this role. This had to be my favorite Clooney performance. Really great. Oscar winner Frances McDormand (Fargo, Almost Famous) was amazing! I've always been a big fan! She was so far out of her normal zone I feel like, and it was so good! Funny performance too! I think the highlight of the performances was Oscar nominee Brad Pitt (Twelve Monkeys, Babel). I think all the main actors were out of their element in this film (and in a good way) but Pitt was like I've never seen him before. His character was so stupid and bubbly, that you just love the guy! I cannot believe Pitt is not garnering any attention for this performance, I think it's one of the best supporting roles of the year! Also like to point out that J.K. Simmons (Juno, Spiderman) has a really funny limited role!
Burn After Reading is just a super fun movie that you don't have to take seriously. At the same time, it's oddly believable. It's on DVD now, if you like a good cast, or a funny story, this is a movie for you! I loved it!
To view this film's theatrical trailer, click this link: Burn After Reading
*This is the 170th new film I've seen and reviewed this year.
*This film is now on DVD.
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