Hail the Coens!

Rating: 10/10 (16 February 2016)

Hail Caesar! (2016): Dir: Ethan Coen, Joel Coen / Cast: George Clooney, Josh Brolin, Alden Ehrenreich, Ralph Fiennes, Scarlett Johansson: Another comical masterpiece from the creators of Fargo, The Big Lebowski and Burn After Reading. Set in 1950's Hollywood with Josh Brolin starring as Eddie Mannix, a fixer whose job is to keep scandals of his clients out of the press. George Clooney plays celebrated actor Baird Whitlock who is preparing for a Biblical type film when he awakens is a strange remote location. He has been kidnapped but in true Coen fashion this becomes a comical turn as Whitlock interacts with what appears to be a reference to those involved in Communist activities. Alden Ehrenreich plays Hobie Doyle, a young cowboy star with enthusiasm to please. He is skilled at horseback stunts but when he is sent to be cast in an unfamiliar role he botches every take in comical fashion due to his inability to inhabit a genre outside that he is closest with. Ralph Feinnes plays director Laurence Laurentz who grows frustrated with the constant problems plaguing his latest epic. He struggles to maintain patients in the face of Doyle who is totally not right for his film but sent to him despite his refusal. Scarlett Johansson plays actress DeeAnna Moran who is first seen in a mermaid costume in the midst of a musical number. Mannix is left with the news that she is pregnant and must preserve her wholesome image despite she is anything but. The result is a well produced comical take on classical Hollywood productions and the issues that were hidden that are merely hailed as publicity in this modern day. Score: 10 / 10