Wild, crazy, bizarre, unpredictable; it must be the Coen brothers.

Rating: 8/10 (22 September 2008)

This is one strange movie. I cannot remember the last time I walked out from viewing a movie and thinking to myself, "what the heck did I just see?" I'm not sure this is such a bad thing. The first time I saw it, I was completely dumbfounded and flabbergasted. I couldn't believe this movie was written, produced, and directed by those genius brothers that made last year's masterpiece that was No Country For Old Men. However, since it is the Coen Brothers, I decided to give it a second chance and I am glad to say many things were cleared up, but not all.
First of all, you have to look at this movie from the Coen's point of view. Here they are, coming off winning three Oscars for making No Country For Old Men. If history is any indication, they are next in line for a much more light-hearted story than the last one they did. This offer is certainly the most bizarre of any Coen movie I have ever seen, but that doesn't necessarily mean it's a bad thing. The acting is terrific all the way around with an all-star cast worthy of watching. George Clooney is funny as a womanizing CIA goof, John Malkovich is also very good as an alcoholic, foul-mouthed former agent, Frances McDormand is beautiful to watch as a woman who thinks she is going down the tube, and Brad Pitt gives perhaps the best performance as a complete numbskull of a gym trainer trying his very hardest to help out his friend Linda (McDormand). Other supporting characters, such as the lovable Richard Jenkins and the cold-hearted Tilda Swinton also score.
I have come to the conclusion that this movie is really only for those who are a fan of the Coen's previous indie-type comedies. No Country wasn't mainstream, but it certainly had Oscar written all over it when it was released. This movie reminds me of back in the late 90's when the Coens made Fargo, won an Oscar for it, then released The Big Lebowski two years later. They weren't going for gold, just trying to get some laughs. And they did, creating a movie that is considered a cult classic some ten years later. If you appreciate the Coen's special brand of dark humor and wild storytelling, give Burn After Reading a chance. If not, don't bother; it's not your cup of tea.