There is not a single character or line out of place. The Coens have done an absolutely exquisite job of piecing this film together. It is made all the more hilarious to realize that everything is completely absurd and that there is absolutely no point to it. Seriously, there is no reason for anything in this movie to go down the way it does. There is a scene glimpsed in the trailer that involves J.K. Simmons as a CIA supervisor and David Rasche (Sledge Hammer!) as a CIA operative that sums everything up rather nicely. The scene ends with Simmons telling Rasche to report back when it makes sense.
Watching Burn After Reading is an interesting experience. The movie gets more and more bizarre, makes less and less sense, yet retains complete cohesion. It is such a weird blending of comedy and thriller that no one but the Coens could have done it.
The trailer does not do the film justice. Sure, it gives us a good glance into the Pitt character, but it makes the film seem a lot more slapstick than it actually is. There is plenty of that type of comedy, but there is a quick and intelligent verbal wit at play. This is enhanced by the fact the characters engaging in this verbal sparring are doing some seriously stupid things, getting themselves in deeper into things than they really need or want to.
The movie is notable in delivering a few of the funniest sequences you are likely to see on the big screen this year, which will not be spoiled here. Just know that when you see them your jaw will drop and you will not believe what you have seen.
Bottom line. One of the finest screenplays of the year is the basis for this movie. It lacks seriousness and ultimately a point, but that in and of itself may actually be the point. This only plays up the genius of the Coens. It is unexpected, it is predictable, and it is an absolute blast.
Highly Recommended.
Article comments
1 - Phillip Winn
The pointlessness of this film cannot be overstated, but I thought it was also hilarious.
For me, JK Simmons was the glue holding the film together. Hilarious and deadpan, his lines lifted this movie an entire star, despite his very few minutes of screen time.
2 - Michael
I think it's unfortunate that this critic has deemed the film absurdist and pointless. This is just not so. There are such obvious allegorical themes: the American mindless consumption of entertainment media (as evidenced in the romantic comedy date night scenes), its desensitization toward brutal violence (my cohorts actually laughed at these moments), and its inability to recognize irony (in the end, this film is a drama with elements of comedy). I know this sounds elitist, but just like the theater full of belly-laughing viewers I had the displeasure of seeing this film with, this critic is not in on the Cohen brothers' joke, but a part of it.
3 - Phillip Winn
Yeah, Michael, a 3.5-star review probably means the reviewer didn't get it.
The characters themselves refer to the pointlessness of the events of the film.
Um, duh.
4 - Annie
You MUST be joking.
Not one single person in the theatre laughed during the entire progression of the movie. It just wasn't funny, end of story.
Not to mention the film did not really have a point. One of the worst films ever.