2008
Written and Directed by Joel and Ethan Coen
Starring George Clooney, Francis McDormand, John Malkovich, Brad Pitt and Tilda Swinton
When CIA analyst Osborne Cox (Malkovich) quits his job after being demoted for drinking too much, he decides to write his memoirs. When a CDR containing his memoirs and personal financial records somehow ends up being left in a gym locker, gym employees Chad (Pitt) and Linda (McDormand) decide to blackmail Cox, thinking that they've got some classified information. Meanwhile, Cox's wife Katie (Swinton) is cheating on him with a married treasury agent, Harry (Clooney), who is also trolling the internet for single ladies.
If you're a Coen Brothers fan, you'll like this movie. It's got all the usual Coen Brothers characteristics: a twisty plot, laugh out loud moments, quirky characters, a stellar cast. Frances McDormand is my favorite actress, period. Clooney and Malkovich are fantastic in their roles. Swinton's character was pretty one-dimensional, a cold-hearted b*tch, but she did a great job. But the standout was Brad Pitt, who was so hilarious and ridiculous. I couldn't stop laughing at him. The movie also featured one of my all-time favorite character actors, JK Simmons (Vern Schillinger in "Oz," Juno's dad in "Juno," J. Jonah Jameson the the Spider-Man movies) in a small but memorable and hilarious role.
This wasn't my favorite Coen Brothers comedy (that honor is a tie between "Fargo" and "The Big Lebowski" but it was really fun and enjoyable nonetheless.
Mark Davis
Fontanelli
Mey
Thanks, Whip! You and I have very similar tastes in film. I heard a bad review on NPR & I was disappointed. I just kept thinking, that as long as I love the Coen's, I'll like this too. So, I'll see it. PS The Big Lebowski is my favorite Coen bros film & No 6 in my top ten films of all time.
I heart Coen brothers & I heart Wes Anderson.
1I'm so happy to hear a review on this one from someone I know. I never agree w/ critic reviews. I'll definitely be seeing this--thanks Whip!
2Hey thanks! I'm really looking forward to seeing that movie.
3Thanks. I was wondering about this movie. I also like JK Simmons but now him from Law and Order.
4I'll watch pretty much anything with George and Brad in it.
I'll likely end up just
renting this, it seems like I never go to the theater to see movies.
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“Fashion fades, only style remains the same.”
—Coco Chanel
5Sweet review! I can't wait to see this.
6My main reason for seeing the movie was (of course) Brad and George. I found George's character really attractive even thought he was a knucklehead and womanizer but he looked so sleazy but still attractive. I don't know what that says about me, but I liked the movie and would have seen the movie if all the actors were reading War and Peace.
7Great review! I hope I can see this one soon.
8I heard that review too, Candy. But Mick pointed out that most Coen Bros. movies get piss poor reviews when they first come out but then are sucked into pop culture. Big Lebowski anyone? Bars around here do BL nights!
9I am dying to see this. Brad looks hilarious in the trailers.
He said at TIFF, that Angie was so not attracted to him while in that role!
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10"Everytime Barack Obama speaks, an angel has an orgasm"
We are so seeing it!
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11Obama is the smart choice.
This was my favorite Cohen brothers film. It has a wicked sense of humor. Brad and Clooney made me smile to start with. But amazingly enough it was a take with Brad Pitt and Malkovitch that starting me laugh out loud. I would never think that Malcovitch would ever make me laugh at all. And then the Cohens just played with our emotions and they are able take us from shock to
.
In the end of the movie I was literally bending forward laughing.
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