Coen Brothers Where Art Thou?

Rating: 3/10 (15 September 2008)

I've loved the witty dialog and unexpected plot twists that characterize the Coen brothers movies ever since Raising Arizona; however, "Burn After Reading" would be more aptly titled, "Burn Before Viewing."
Pitt, as the vapid, gum-chewing physical trainer, seems to be going through the motions. There's nothing memorable about his performance. Clooney gives a performance we've already seen in "Intolerable Cruelty" as the womanizing buffoon.
And, once again, Swinton plays the same "white witch" we saw in Prince Caspian. She does a delightful job as the frosty wife but brings nothing new or interesting to the performance.
McDormand, as the aging physical trainer, and Malkovich, as the former CIA agent do the best they can with the mediocre material provided.
I'm a great fan of the Coen brothers, but this movie falls far short of their potential; however, the last truly great movie they made was O Brother Where Art Thou. Maybe they've run out of ideas.