Caught the new Coen Brothers flick, "Burn After Reading", last night. First off, this is not a drop-down, pants-pissing, snort-enducing comedy. While it is silly, most of the laughs come from the quirky mannerisms and antics of the characters. Frances McDormand and Brad Pitt are clueless health club workers who completely flub over a blackmail plot based around what they believe is "important shit". George Clooney is a goofy government worker who likes to wear his pants high and run through the city. John Malkovich is a recently laid-off CIA guy, looking for some purpose in his life while constantly dropping f-bombs.
But inside the story is a melancholy look at the middle-aged years of life. How the paranoia, obsession and fear over becoming old can drive someone to act strangely. Even incredibly stupid. That seemed to be the recurring theme and can help you dissect each character's motive throughout the flick.
Sure, there are some hilarious parts-- like when Brad Pitt and McDormand first reach out, via phone, to Malkovich's character-- but if you're looking for a comedy, you might be better off with something like "Pineapple Express".
No comments:
Post a Comment