the entire cast is at the top of there respective game as are all the filmmakers involved

Rating: Null/10 (15 September 2008)

Burn After Reading 9-15-08
"I want to go in fresh" truer words have never been spoken about the movie going experience. Or at the very least a first time viwing experience. Going into a film there are many things that can inform your opinion and or perception of said film. Be it a trailer, genre label, word of mouth etc... With Burn After Reading I think the film works best if you don't know what to expect. Its seems to want to be a spy film and at the same time make fun of said films. It vexing as the film can at times challenge what you expect from parody. It can be ridiculous yet there are moments when its almost as if it wants to be serious too. This to my way of thinking is the brilliance of the film. Though don't get me wrong....its hella funny. I haven't laughed this much at a film in quite a long time. The plot in and of itself is or rather how convoluted it seems is the funniest thing of all. An example of this takes place when David Rasche's character sits down to give J.K. Simmons' CIA director character a break down of the events up till this point. The director is about as confused as the audience might be and reacts in a similar fashion. I love these kinds of self aware type scenes. There are two scenes in particular are quite fun and really seem to sum up what the film is really all about. The list of brilliant performances reads like the cast list...stand outs for me though had to be Malkovich and Swinton. Seriously though the entire cast is at the top of there respective game as are all the filmmakers involved in this wonderful film.