Clever Cohen's Get Away Again

Rating: 5/10 (29 December 2008)

The Cohens are among our best filmmakers but are getting too smug. RAISING ARIZONA, THE BIG LEBOWSKI, etc., are truly new approaches to comedy. FARGO was a masterpiece injecting a more darker, violent drama than, e.g LEBOWSKI. FARGO also had some vague moral implications, though after NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN its hard to guess whether morality was even intended.
But the brothers tend to bite off more than they can chew or, alternately, seem unable to resist a showy conceit of talent. Notwithstanding its charm, FARGO contained scenes like the Chinese American guy's emotional breakdown, which meant less than nothing to the storyline (and certainly wasn't funny). NCFOM was chock full of comedy "bits", intricate detail and clever dialog: All for their own sake.
BURN AFTER READING is great laughs, hilarious scenes, pro acting and script and stars to boot. A movie it ain't. Its many good things thrown up against a wall with hopes that what sticks will make a beautiful pattern. Doesn't work this time. We'll continue to enjoy the sheer film-making talent and devices of the Cohens. Lets hope they get around to organizing a full length idea soon.