Review of Burn After Reading (2008) by Thomas W — 20 Jan 2012

The Cohen brothers had, in my mind, hit a bit of a slump after their 90s masterpiece "The Hudsucker Proxy." Critics slammed it as derivative and shallow, two critiques which were both without warrant. I think it affected their later work, until finally they hit their stride again with this completely fragmented, bizarre, and ultimately hilarious film.

Brad Pitt and John Malkovich, two actors I never thought I would see together on screen, have one of the best scenes together in movie history. Between Pitt's demi-braindead Gym Rat and Malkovich's former CIA spook, there is this level of absurd tension that is broken with one solid punch - and to anyone who hates Brad Pitt, (which I do not) it must be a satisfying moment, indeed. Add to this George Clooney's self-mocking role as a handsome yet aging adulterer, and J.K. Simmons' turn as the unofficial "hub" of the story, and you have a non-sensical movie that, rather than disappoint, will make you glad you went along for the ride.