Coen Academism

Rating: 5/10 (19 June 2009)

This unsparing Coens grim satire is quite self—pitying as it deplores the fate of the men subdued by their offensive bitches—see poor Clooney being mistreated by Tilda, and then poor Pitt , and Malkovich—cheated; the men are generally victims. The women are, on the contrary, tough and determined.
Occasionally funny, BURN AFTER READING lacks excitement and the required kick and gusto. The Coens follow—or naturally align themselves to, or whatever—a trend of Hollywoodian Academism. Their malice seems self—righteous, arrogant, obtuse and antipathetic and rugged; and on the other hand, it's plain didactic-ism, pals—leftist self—righteousness. The Coens are slick; yet not so much.
Clooney plays a womanizer; McDormand becomes one of his mistresses and she's also teamed with Pitt in a blackmail tandem.
Blood Simple (1983) is the Coen's best outing, and a good movie; I liked Barton Fink (1991). The rest I find provincial, dry and academic. BAR is a cut above The Big Lebowski (1998).