The Collegian

Issue date: 9/16/08 Section: Detour

Media Credit: www.worstpreviews.com

Media Credit: www.worstpreviews.com

The Coen brothers' are known for their wacky, off-beat comedies. Most recently, they proved their status as dark jokesters and newly awarded Oscar winners with their film Burn After Reading. The Venice Film Fest was thoroughly pleased with the movie, which was written, directed, and produced by the Coens. The pithy picture featured big name actors like George Clooney, John Malcovich and Brad Pitt.

It was nice to see John Malco-vich in something other than the The Man in the Iron Mask. Malkovich plays Osborne Cox, an ex-CIA analyst who was booted from the agency because of his severe drinking problems. He is married to a very sour and bitter Katie (Tilda Swinton) and their relationship is anything but healthy. He confides in his wife about a plan to reveal numerous CIA secrets in a memoir written to avenge his layoff. Katie is not impressed.

Then the misunderstandings begin. Katie, scorned by her unsatisfying marriage, is secretly seeing Harry Pfarrer, played by George Clooney. Katie yearns for both her and her lover to divorce their spouses but she is unaware that Harry is also seeing another woman on the side- Linda Litzke (Frances McDormand).

So how do all these flawed and crazy characters come together? Brad Pitt of course. He plays a highly enthusiastic gym trainer, Chad Feldheimer, who works with Linda. He finds documentation of Osborne's memoir and proceeds to sell it to whoever will pay the most. Linda, who is desperately seeking plastic surgery in order to achieve a perfected body, is also in on the "scam" to pay for the work she would like done. Many viewers will be shocked towards the end of the film, where directors throw in an unexpected twist.

Unfortunately, that is about all. The film is sprinkled with characteristic quick-wit and clever conversation and the predictable and signature black comedy. The acting is commendable, but no one truly steals the show. As for the plot, it fails to develop any further. For the duration of the movie, the audience watches the bumbling idiocies of each character as they smash into each other's lives.

Although this film holds no merit compared to Coen brothers' classics like Fargo and The Big Lebowski, the brothers' strange cinematic flavor is apparent. Viewers should be familiar with the Coen brothers' style in order to appreciate the plain and somewhat quick storyline. This movie is recommended to an audience with an intense love for unique filming visions. The little action mixed with dry hilarity made the movie chuckle-worthy and slightly enjoyable.

Grade: C+

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