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Burn After Reading By Harry Forbes Catholic News Service NEW YORK (CNS) -- Those Coen boys -- Joel and Ethan -- are nothing if not versatile, and "Burn After Reading" (Focus) is as different from their grim Oscar winner of last year, "No Country for Old Men," as it can possibly be. Not that there isn't a dark undertone here, but this is primarily a witty caper comedy. The plot revolves around, of all people, two hapless Washington-based gym employees -- Linda Litzke (Frances McDormand) and Chad Feldheimer (Brad Pitt) -- who find the memoirs of fired CIA analyst Osborne Cox (John Malkovich) on a computer disc. They believe they're in possession of classified information with which they can extort money from Cox, and after that ploy falls flat they try to sell it to the Russians. All the characters are losers. Linda is pining for love, and hopes that some radical cosmetic surgery will improve her lot. She spends her days looking for suitable prospects on the Internet, oblivious to the fact that her boss, Ted Treffon (Richard Jenkins), is completely smitten with her. Cox is a serious alcoholic whose scarily controlling wife, Katie (Tilda Swinton), has been cheating on him with federal marshal Harry Pfarrer (George Clooney), a married man. As soon as she learns her husband has left his job, she runs to a divorce lawyer to free herself for a life with Harry. But Harry, a chronic philanderer and no stranger to Internet dating sites himself, is all too cognizant of Katie's steely bossiness, and smoothly determines to evade her clutches. All these characters will eventually intertwine in surprising and explosive ways. The Coens have written an extremely clever script, which they have directed with assured timing. Their top-flight cast, several of whom are veterans of earlier Coen films, reveal in this instance surprising comic chops, as do the well-chosen supporting players. Pathetically lovelorn McDormand and gum-chewing airhead Pitt, in particular, make a priceless comic pair, as they get in way over their heads as would-be blackmailers. Clooney's increasing paranoia as the circumstances of his situation spiral out of control is deliciously conveyed. Equally well portrayed are Jenkins' puppy-dog adoration of his employee, Malkovich's tightly wound desperation, and Swinton's hard-as-nails iciness. Overt sex and violence are minimal, but many will be disturbed by the David Mamet-like strong language, which unfortunately includes a few instances of some especially strong profanity. The film contains pervasive use of the F-word and some profanity; two brief instances of violence, one gruesome; implied nonmarital sexual activity; and a sexual sight gag. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is L -- limited adult audience, films whose problematic content many adults would find troubling. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is R -- restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian. - - - Forbes is director of the Office for Film & Broadcasting of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. More reviews are available online at www.usccb.org/movies. END Copyright (c) 2008 Catholic News Service/USCCB. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed. CNS · 3211 Fourth St NE · Washington DC 20017 · 202.541.3250 |
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