So smooth to watch, it turns stale

Rating: 5/10 (3 November 2008)

For starters, I'd like to talk to you about Keanu Reeves. Why Keanu when he's nowhere to be found in this movie? Because Keanu is often regarded as the worse actor ever. Even worse than Victor Mature. And yeah, sure, he often looks like he can hardly remember his lines, like he's not aware he's in the film at all, overall like he has no idea what the heck is he doing there, or where "there" might be. Yet, he is such a fine, subtle actor when compared to his highness Brad Pitt. They are even of the similar age, although looks much younger, while Pitt, every time I see him, looks more and more like shar pei. Not that it matters, I just had to mention it :). What matters is that he would be brilliant in this role that was so butchered by Mr. Pitt. Forgetful as he seams, it would still be a bliss compared to dreadful awareness of camera that Brad just can't get rid of. Brad couldn't stop overacting if his life depended on it. Rest of the cast does fairly well, of course. Sure, they don't exactly give mind blowing performances, who would expect that, but at least they do not annoy. They are all a bit silly, and painfully aware that they are, which feels so worn out, as such cases you can only see in movies. Real people are never consciousness of how exactly ridiculous they appear. But, what can you do, it's Coen brothers film. They can't outgrow these type of characters. One performance that does stand out, is Clooney's. He is on the very verge of overacting, but manages to cut it down to size, and even to look insecure at moments, which is magnificent, considering. The story it self is typical Coen brothers story. To fast, to "smart", flooded with number of characters, and oh, so, cool. Grand in every sense. So smooth to watch, it turns stale. It had potential to achieve something more, but submitting to conformity and popular demand for shallowness, fail to use, or abuse these elements (except for laughs) and remains in the realms of averageness. All in the name of high ratings. God forbid they have a message. Messengers tend to get shot. Who wants that.