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September 19, 2008
Playing at a Theater Near You...
Burn After Reading
The Gist: Osborne Cox (John Malkovich) is forced out of the CIA, so he decides to write a memoir. His ice-cold wife is having an affair with a State Department employee (George Clooney). (Clooney actually seems like he’s playing himself because his character definitely has a propensity to slip his one-eyed salami in lots of dark caves.) The icy-cold wife decides she wants to divorce Cox, so she gathers up all the couple’s financial details to make sure she can really screw him over in the divorce. Her lawyer’s secretary leaves an electronic copy of those financial details at her gym, where Brad Pitt (playing a total idiot) and Frances McDormand (loser in love) work. They think the disk has lots of classified information that they can use to extort money out of Cox, so that’s exactly what they try to do. Hilarity ensues!
What Would Have Made this Movie Better: I don’t pretend to understand every detail in this film. It was actually all over the place. However, I laughed, and I laughed, and I laughed, and I laughed some more. I had no idea what to expect walking in, but left on such a high that I cannot recommend this more strongly. Brad Pitt is absolutely masterful. John Malkovich is superb too. Everyone really turned in great performances. The scene where Brad Pitt calls John Malkovich was hysterical. The scene where they meet in person also was great. And every scene involving the bald psychiatrist from Law & Order was really well done. Things come together at the end in a really enjoyable way too.
Who Should See This: Not everyone will like this. One of my coworkers didn’t. The critic for Time magazine didn’t. I, on the other hand, had a blast from start to finish, so if I were you, I’d give it a try!
The Verdict: I will see this one again at some point. A
Comments
TF, to respond to your question, no the Pepsi-Cola sign doesn't light up. It does not have any electrical parts on it.
Posted by: ming the merciless at September 19, 2008 01:22 AM
I really want to see this. John Malkovich in comedic roles is so great - considering he usually scares the bejeesus out of me. Every time I think about assassination I picture him in In the Line of Fire. Not that I think about it a lot. Shit, now the CIA is gonna come after me!
Posted by: Harmless Error at September 19, 2008 08:38 AM
Ming, Thanks for the info!
Harmless, he is scary and funnier than hell in this!
Posted by: Fool at September 19, 2008 08:57 AM
Oh good, glad you liked it. I was on the fence about this one and now I will go see it! Gracias.
Posted by: LisaBinDaCity at September 22, 2008 11:44 AM
I've never liked Brad Pitt. But I guess I'm willing to give him a chance, given Fool's high recommendation!
Posted by: teahouseblossom at September 22, 2008 11:54 PM
As many have noted, I'm pretty tough on movies. This one certainly isn't for everyone, but it caught my fancy and then some!
Posted by: Fool at September 23, 2008 12:05 AM
