Burn After Reading | Eastern North Carolina Now

It was just too bad that Osborne Cox, played by John Malkovich, the angry, alcoholic and recently fired CIA analyst, stood in his way, and Charles Feldheimer, Brad Pitt, was no match for Osborne's substance and work-related induced wrath: Above and then below.
    Good acting is a necessary component in character driven movies and this film is absolutely true to form. Tilda Swinton portrays Osbourne's estranged wife, Katie, Richard Jenkins portrays the manager of Hardbodies Gym and J. K. Simmons as the head CIA officer are all convincing and round out a very suitable cast.


Linda Liztke, Frances McDormand, is the center of this story and not always for the good. Here with Hardbodies Gym manager, Ted, played by Richard Jenkins (above), and with Harry Pfarrer, played by George Clooney, as a Department of Treasury and US Marshall bureuacrat.
    "Burn After Reading" is probably not the best of the Coen Brothers library, but it is certainly a good film and as it has been my experience with the Coens, as it is with Wes Anderson's films, one should not judge them too quickly lest one misses the point altogether. Considering this truism and that inane dark comedies tend to fall flat or have terrific shelf life, I reserve the right to revisit this film and change my rating of 3 1/4 stars as I may at some point in the future need to change my point of view. Right now I can only say see the film - make your own opinion.

    Released on DVD December 16, 2008. Rated R.