Another great dark comedy by the Coen Brothers.

Rating: 8/10 (14 September 2008)

The Coen Brothers make very unusual, yet good movies. "Burn After Reading" is a definite exception of their work. They capture the quirky yet likable characters fluently and deliver a pretty witty script.
For such a big ensemble cast, I was well-pleased by each of the actors performances. But I think the real geniuses are Frances McDormand, John Malkovich, J.K. Simmons and Brad Pitt. Especially Pitt. He had to have had a blast making this movie. He is so irresistibly funny, making it hard at times for me to breath. Frances McDormand has excellent chemistry with Pitt, and also with the other actors she gets involved with. As with John Malkovich, he's his own character. His fits of anger get so intense that it is hard not to laugh at.
J.K. Simmons, although only in the film for five minutes, delivers clever lines one after another that make me want to fall out of my chair with laughter. "Burn After Reading" is a strange, yet brilliant dark comedy that any fan of the Coen Brothers should see. But be warned, like some of their other work, there's a fair amount of swearing and sometimes gross sexual humor.