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Last updated: 21 Jul 2026 at 22:43 UTC

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Review of by Jessica G — 16 Jul 2011

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Burn After Reading is a slow-paced action comedy starring Brad Pitt, Frances McDormand, George Clooney and John Malkovich. By the time the film finally reaches its conclusion, the events that unfolded on screen are still not quite clear.

A CIA agent with a struggling marriage looses his job and his life takes a huge turn downhill. His wife files for divorce so she can be with the man with whom she's having an affair. A couple of gym-workers find a disk containing 'highly classified shit' (in the form of memoirs), and set out with the honest intent of selling it back.

The characters lives intertwine and interlock, with consequences that aren't fully revealed at the end. The lack of a clear plot means you have to pay attention if you hope to gain any sense from the film. Though not the easiest or most enjoyable film to watch, Burn After Reading does have its moments, namely involving Brad Pitt's character, who provides a simple comic relief that the other characters can't always manage to pull off.

This review of Burn After Reading (2008) was written by on 16 Jul 2011.

Burn After Reading has generally received positive reviews.

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