Burn After Reading
In the new film “Burn After Reading,” there is a moment where George Clooney turns to actress Francis McDormand and asks, “Ya like surprises?” With a nod, McDormand cheerful replies, “Well, I’m always open to new experiences.” If anything, that is exactly what this film is – a new experience.
As the complex plot unfolds, Osbourne Cox, played by the always versatile John Malkovich, is a recently demoted CIA agent, who discovers that a disk containing his memoirs has been misplaced and then stolen by two gym instructors, Brad Pitt and McDormand. The plot thickens when a number of other characters enter the picture. In fact, this movie is so full of stars you might think you’re in a planetarium.
There’s Tilda Swinton as Osbourne’s wife, George Clooney as her lover, Richard Jenkins as the gyms manager and finally J.K. Simmons as a CIA bigwig.
Fresh from their best picture Oscar in “No Country for Old Men,” directors Ethan and Joel Coen have now created one of their most emotionally polarizing films. In its short ninety-six minute run, the film straps in its audience, leaving them to fend for themselves against each twisted tonal shift the story has to throw at them. One minute you’re laughing, the next your mouth drops in silent shock. Although this could have come off as sloppy in the hands of lesser filmmakers, the changes in story attitude are literally meant to put the audience in the same confusing state as the characters experiencing them, which is a tactic that can either be embraced or hated.
The main issue the film faces is giving rich characters room to breath. Yes they are funny and well played, but imagine what they could have done if let out of the “Cohan Brother Ranch” to graze in greener pastures. As is, every character seems to live with the same level of cynicism, no matter where they stand in the movies grand scheme of things, and none ever deviate from the jungle path the directors have already macheted through in such films as “Fargo” and “The Big Lebowski.”
At the end of the film, J.K Simmons’s CIA operative asks an associate what was learned from the films events. The associate gives a blank stare and mutters, “Um…I don’t know.” Simmons then shakes his head, sighs, and exclaims, “I don’t (expletive) know either.” Where other films are considered weak if plot resolution is not made completely clear, this one revels in the concept of not giving the audience what they want. “Burn After Reading” is certainly one sugary piece of candy that can’t be missed. Just be mindful of its sour center.
4 out of 5 stars