Burn After Reading (2008)

Directors: Joel & Ethan Coen

Writers: Ethan & Joel Coen

Composer: Carter Burwell

Starring: George Clooney, rances McDormand, Brad Pitt, John Malkovich, Tilda Swinton, Richard Jenkins, Elizabeth Marvel, David Rasche, J.K. Simmons, Olek Krupa, Michael Countryman, Kevin Sussman, J.R. Horne

More info: IMDb

Tagline: Intelligence is relative.

Plot: A disk containing the memoirs of a CIA agent ends up in the hands of two unscrupulous gym employees who attempt to sell it.

My rating: 7/10

Will I watch it again?  Nah.

I'm a huge fan of the Coen's going back nearly 30 years when I first saw RAISING ARIZONA (1987) and ran out to rent the VHS of BLOOD SIMPLE (1984).  I'll watch everything they ever do.  That said, I liked this picture but it feels like it falls short.  Short of what?  Beats me.  They're the experts and I'm sure this is exactly the movie they wanted to make; they're that good and have that kind of control.  The characters are fun from the in the dark CIA guys to the large number of people who are somehow intertwined by chance. But the film doesn't have the laughs or the biting commentary many of their other pictures have. Still, it's a fun ride and I enjoyed it and like a great amusement park, they've got other rides I'll hit many times before coming back to this one.