Half-Baked

Rating: 6/10 (4 April 2008)

From their very first film, the marvelous "Blood Simple," the Coen brothers have displayed a terrific visual style. This film is no exception, featuring some beautiful scenes as well as as some well-executed action. Unfortunately it's all style, no substance. It starts off well but is undone by a very unsatisfying denouement. Too much time is spent on Jones' opaque and uninteresting monologues. The plot is confusing and full of holes, with irrelevant characters wandering in and out who are not even introduced to the audience. It seems as if the Coens lost interest at some point and decided to release the film unfinished and rough around the edges. Quite disappointing.