f*cking BRILLIANT!

Rating: 9/10 (1 January 2017)

Joel and Ethan Coen are two of the finest filmmakers around, and it seems like every time they make a movie it ends up being a masterpiece, and "Burn After Reading" is no exception. Despite not normally being considered one of their greatest films and simply being severely underrated in general, I believe that this is better and funnier than more popular Coen's films such as, say, "The Big Lebowski" (a film that I also LOVE). It's actually saddening how little this film is praised, because it deserves much more acclaim and attention, for it is one of the most original, inventive, hilarious, creative, and shocking movies I have ever seen.
Practically every aspect of this bizarre black comedy is pitch perfect. The cinematography and overall placing/movement of the camera both work together to make the film quite visually stimulating, while the characters and relentlessly inventive plot work together to make the film a great entertainer for the mind and emotion. And don't even get me started on the performances! How perfect can a movie get? These are some of the finest performances I have ever seen in a comedy, every single performer does an amazing job and perfectly encapsulate their character's personality. I ESPECIALLY have to give credit to Brad Pitt, who plays a lovably idiotic gym instructor that accidentally kickstarts a farcical string of crime, chaos, and even murder. His performance had me losing it while laughing, this is, without a doubt, the best Brad Pitt performance, and I'm willing to say that it is not only one of the best comedic performances, but maybe even one of the best performances PERIOD.
But, the rest of the cast does excellently as well! John Malkovich is simultaneously threatening and sympathetic, while Frances McDormand portrays a desperate sex addict in a way that is both funny and pathetic, while George Clooney plays a charismatic but slightly mentally ill man dealing with a difficult romantic situation. And there is also brilliant performances from Tilda Swinton, Richard Jenkins, and J.K Simmons (who only appears extremely briefly, but still manages to impress highly).
This is among the most enthusiastic reviews for a film that I have ever written, and that is because of how amazing this film is! This should be required viewing for all human beings that breathe (and animals should watch it too).