the most disappointing thing about "Burn After Reading" was the lack of appreciation from my fellow audience for what a hilariously fun movie this is. save for the man who cracked us up because he was cracking up.
the colorful characters, each in their own world in one way or another, collide in the Coen brothers classic snowball manner, in which a one track mind + a chance event spin wildly out of anyone's control. i love the way they play it out-like the astute observations of a standup comedian who gives insight and hilarity to the foibles of human and social nature. plus a few drinks and a handful of limes.
the combination of slapstick, satire, and that curious brand of coen dark humor is well carried out by the talented cast. forget the silly butchered foreign accents in "seven years in tibet," the questionably gay drama "a devil's own," and the foo-foo romance of "legends of the fall"(ok, i never saw that one), brad pitt is best when he's goofy. george clooney does a great run as a not-so suave, well meaning womanizer, his exaggerated expressions one of the standouts in "burn." frances mcdormand is wonderful as always, and this part must have been written for john malkovich who plays frustrated anger to comic perfection. even the supporting cast all add their own little color.
though not their best nor most memorable, it's nonetheless thoroughly enjoyable, and signature coen brothers. for those who go see this movie because they got hit by marketing, there's a chance they may not take to this brand of humor. for those of us who love and cherish the coen brothers, we are excited to have a movie to be excited about.
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