Mediocre/10

Rating: 5/10 (8 February 2016)

I've called the Coen bros. my favourite directors in the past, so in spite of some poor marketing I was enthusiastic going into this movie. That didn't really last. It's got its moments, sure, and there's nothing wrong with it on the technical, artistic or acting end of things, but... the plot is just... uncommitted? I said shortly after seeing it that I felt like it couldn't decide between having a main plot and being an ensemble comedy, so it winds up not really committing to either. It's got a main plot, but the film seemingly only remembers to address it every 20 minutes or so. There are also a few subplots, but few of them ever go anywhere. And then there's the padding. So. Much. Padding. It's inexcusable.
Oh, and it was sure nice of them to include Jonah Hill in all the marketing when he's only in the film for two minutes.