Nice semi-intelligent farce

Rating: 8/10 (4 July 2009)

A refreshing, dark comedy (in a funny sense) with intricate twists and turns. No "cliche" easy one-liners here but a well-acted character study with range and comedic depth unlike anything you're used to seeing from Hollywood these days. Malkovich is pretty much the only character that shows resemblance to former roles but his intensity and absurd situation keep with an edge needed to keep the action interesting. Pitt like you've never seen him before. Clooney with a swagger but very vulnerable underneath it all. No "Oceans XX" for either of them. But in a cleverly written comedy of circumstance reminiscent of a Moliere romp, the film is a "grotesque" tapestry of good writing, interesting relationships, foibles galore with a little bit of 21st Century Tarantino poignancy thrown in for good measure.