Burn After Reading, the newest film from the fraternal directing duo of Joel and Ethan Coen, centers around a pseudo-spy theme sans the spies and any relative intelligence. Based around six interconnected yet clueless characters, this movie is stretched along a plot formed by chance and happenstance, taking an improbable solution to its absurd, if not amusing, ending.
The film's opening, which may remind some viewers strongly of the opening of last year's Hot Fuzz, sets the stage with the firing of CIA Balkans Desk employee Osborne Cox (John Malkovich, Beowulf) for his "drinking problem." Undercut by sardonic humor, this scene turns into an obscenity-spewed pissing match, a reoccurring dialog model throughout the film.
The star-studded cast calls upon all their talents to portray the idiocracy of the CIA and their characters unfortunate positions within it. From a disgruntled drunk to a machete-wielding lunatic, each actor pulls off his or her role, making up for a plot that at times is stretched a little thin.
Tilda Swinton (Michael Clayton) holds an icy demeanor, a common trait for many of her on-screen personas. The actress plays the backstabbing, ruthless wife of Cox, cleanly portraying the "cold hearted b*tch" that other characters in the film claim she is.
Malkovich's Cox proves familiar ground for him as well. Reminiscent of In the Line of Fire and Heart of Darkness, Malkovich plays the role of a man who is missing a screw or two. In his transition from simple drunk to homicidal psychopath, he serves as a competent foil to George Clooney (Leatherheads)'s Harry Pfarrer, a slightly more valiant character who shoots purely on instinct.
Brad Pitt (Ocean's Thirteen) stands out as one of the only actors in the film breaking into creative ground he has not already treaded. It's not often that viewers see him play someone like Chad Feldheimer - a complete idiot.
Unfortunately, while in some scenes Pitt momentarily reverts to previous, better roles, playing more serious and responsible at times, making it hard to believe his character possesses even enough brainpower to ride his bike.
At a short 96 minutes, the storyline drags a little before all aspects come together. Each character's separate situation must be played out, emphasizing what they know and don't know.
This leads to several long side-plot threads that need to be tied together quickly and neatly at the climax, a feat that is carried out using absurd appeasement, death and just dropping characters off the grid completely. The film seems to drag, considering it is not action-packed, leaving a sluggish plot little to fall back on.
The comedy, however, attempts to pick up the slack, covering for the plot's insecurities. Often sexual and laced with obscenities, a constant rhythm of amusing banter alternating with visual comedy keeps the audience laughing throughout.
Burn After Reading isn't a film that requires much cerebral effort on the part of the viewer. It's a good way to kick back and get some cheap laughs after a week of classes. The ending may leave nothing to think about, but viewers will leave happy, feeling their money was well spent.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
