my new least favorite Coen Bros movie

Rating: 4/10 (10 February 2016)

After reflecting on Hail Cesar, I stand by my initial response of ranking this below both A Serious Man and Intolerable Cruelty. The trailer is ridiculously misleading, what you see in the trailer looks like a Coen comedy about the kidnapping of an offbeat Clooney character. What follows is a quasi musical drama about a no nonsense Hollywood executive moving from Grand scene to grand scene (all of which add up to nothing) while the bros. rely on another kidnapping plot line, all to highlight communism in the film industry in the 50's (and the blacklisted writers).
Clooney portrays no charisma or off beat Coen charm in his bland and forgettable role. Scarlett Johansson actually takes away from the film, as her atrocious accent makes you want to leave the theater. Tatum struts around as a pretty boy closet case sailor, in the gayest musical scene ever. Tilda Swinton's 2 roles are slightly annoying as is the western actor trying to act dramatically. Ralph Fiennes and Josh Brolin neither add anything pr take anything away, they are just there.
The only redeeming parts were a nervous Wayne Knight, and a Hollywood meeting about religion in the current film being made between 4 holy men, in which the rabbi steals the entire movie. It sucks to write this and feel this way, but IMO, the Coen Bros are best when they tell a small story, this is a grand spectacle all over the place, but not in any place you want to go. The worst Coen Bros. Movie to date and only worthy of watching when on a deep deep Coen Bros. kick.