A very disappointing Coen brothers movie

Rating: 4/10 (18 March 2016)

The Coen brothers make a lot of movies and some are better than others. This one is among the worst. The satirical targets are easy, the jokes thoroughly predictable, the plot ... well, it's another kidnap, another ransom note, another fade out. I seriously wonder why they bothered making it when it so closely resembles what they have done before. I couldn't believe the repeated use of the old sword joke, and the scene at the foot of the cross. Was there anything that wasn't as old as the hills? It was the Coen brothers so the stars queued up for their brief appearances, maybe because they were so stereotypical the demands made on their skill were minimal. To be fair, the direction was as good as ever and there were one or two scenes that did impress but what a disappointment from such talent! Their movie making career is starting to resemble that of Woody Allen.