Co’Bros latest: my cheeks burn after watching.

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So yes I saw the new Coen Brothers, Burn After Reading, opening night Friday- and I thought about titling this post  ”Holy Shit I love John Malkovich”. Alas – my cheeks very well burned from the sometimes too-loud laughing that this movie brought out.

Now this isn’t my new fave CoBros, but the characters and performances by the cast are top notch. Obviously this was to be the case as the Coen’s noted they wrote many of the roles specifically for the actors who portrayed them. As always Brad Pitt, George Clooney, Frances McDormand and the aforementioned Malkovich, are on point, and all are definitely comic geniuses in my book. Pitt and Clooney both are on my “why don’t you let these people be funny more often list” (see also: Don Cheadle, Matt Damon).

okay so maybe see: Ocean's franchise

 

Also very notable performances (and overall stature of acting) are JK Simmons and Richard Jenkins. Now I know what you’re thinking, who the f are these people? Well you should totally know them by name – I do (but is that really saying anything?) Simmons is J. Jonah Jameson from Spiderman, or my favorite, BR from Thank You For Smoking** (I know…he’s the dad from Juno – you’re boring). Jenkins is Nathaniel Fisher from Six Feet Under (and I often shout out Mr Fisher! when he appears on screen). Both are fairly minor roles in this stellar ensemble cast, but add a great deal of variety and humor none the less.

Now acting performances aside – the plot. So I’m hit or miss with all things Coen, so this is merely my opinion, I know some diehards may disagree (but who’s blogging sucker!?!). I thought the story itself was a little lacking, it was running in a million directions and it was definitely half way through the film before I was able to hit stride. Now this is one of those films (like many ensemble cast features) that starts out with a hurried and intense exposition of the characters and their state in life, followed by an inevitable collision of predicaments, situations and even space as the story progresses. In retrospect, the plot line makes more sense (now granted it’s not too complex, it just had some “flow” issues) and it will probably be better in a repeat viewing. Of course, there are a few moments of shock value that will trade places with this understanding come a second pass.  

Overall though I’m glad to see Ethan and Joel (I’m totally enough of an ass to call them by their first names ) return to their comedic core, which they nailed. These characters are all ridiculous but completely enjoyable in their aloofness and complete lack of contriteness. But don’t think No Country has completely left the system of Co’Bros, definitely expect a (albeit less serious) Tommy Lee Jones retrospective moral statement come the end of the film.

Just insert JK Simmons' face.

postscript:

** Now JK Simmons’ role in TYFS and then this film brought up an interesting thought for me during my credit role reflection: Where was William H. Macy? I couldn’t help but feel the Simmons’ role seemed like an obvious Macy placement, especially considering his and McDormand’s past with the Coen’s. However, as noted, I was v. pleased with Simmons, so no hate – just curious.

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