Brilliant screwball comedy in the grand tradition

Rating: 10/10 (8 March 2016)

This is easily one of the Coen brothers' best films, but there's a catch — you must have an understanding of American cinema and history to appreciate it. Those reviewers who have dismissed it simply don't get it, and it's hard to blame them. Without some kind of background in movies of the 30s, 40s, and 50s, you don't really have the reference points to appreciate what the Coen brothers have accomplished here. Suffice it to say, if you are a true movie lover and fan of Hollywood in its heyday, you will love this picture. It is probably the funniest of all the Coen brothers' films, with unbelievably great comedic performances by Brolin, Clooney, Johansson, Fiennes, Tatum, Swinton, McDormand, Hill and literally all the rest of the cast. There is not a bad performance in this movie. In fact, it is worth seeing just for the cameos. It is also one of the most cinematically gorgeous films ever shot, with amazing recreations (send-ups, really) of old Hollywood production numbers. Thanks to the benighted reviewers, I saw this in an absolutely empty theater, projected in glorious 4K. If you can still catch it while it's in the theaters, I urge you to run out and do so. It is a truly wonderful film.