The Coens entertainingly preach to the choir.

Rating: 8/10 (14 September 2008)

The Coen's are creative at conjuring up absurd stories to fascinate us. However, I personally feel that Blood Simple and Fargo are still the best examples of their genius.
Burn After Reading is darkly humorous, sarcastic, and, as usual, nihilistic. We clearly understand an underlying premise to the story during the end credits when "CIA man" is blurted out in raucous song to celebrate the agency's supposed ineptitude.
It is easy to recognize a liberal slant (not surprising) in the Coen's endeavor to proselytize. In the beginning, a principal character is accused of having a drinking problem. He recoils to his accuser, "You're a Mormon. Next to you everyone has a drinking problem." My first thought: How much more that would have gone over if Mitt Romney had been chosen as McCain's running mate for president. Hollywood is now a "vatican" for liberal dogma. My philosophy teaches that to change minds, you should not be afraid to step on everyone's toes. The Coens only preach to the choir.
Burn After Reading is full of cultural satire, but lacks universal appeal and is arguably less believable than the lunacy found in Dr. Strangelove: a film just as comically stark yet more appealing to young and old audiences.
In any case, this film takes us for an enjoyable ride, but only while it lasts. At the end we want more.