'Burn After Reading' continues Coen hot streak
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Issue date: 9/24/08 Section: The Edge
Linda Litzke (McDormand) is just as self-conscious as she is ambitious. Her aging body makes it difficult for her to look in the mirror without seeing some type of imperfection. She believes plastic surgery to be the end-all solution to her problems, but financial confines restrict her, causing her to take part in the film's central activity: blackmail. McDormand's on-screen presence is powerful in every scene, as is the case with most of her performances in other Coen Brothers films, including "Fargo" and "Blood Simple." She has the ability to switch quickly from upbeat trainer to devastated woman at the drop of a dime.
Chad Feldheimer (Pitt), Litzke's co-worker, is hands-down the funniest character of the film. Pitt's performance in "Burn After Reading" is a testament to the fact that he is fully capable of being a comedic powerhouse on film. Feldheimer's apparent low level of intelligence and heightened sense of conspiracy and espionage make for guaranteed laughs and one of the most shocking scenes of the film. Viewers will definitely have a hard time thinking of the Feldheimer character without sparking a smirk; his physical actions are unforgettable.
In perhaps the film's runner-up performance, George Clooney plays the fast-talking ladies man and State Treasury agent Harry Pfarrer, chasing women at an unrelenting pace. Pfarrer ties every other character together; he is the final cog in the plot's tight structure. He is directly linked to Cox through a passionate fling he has with Osbourne's wife Katie (Tilda Swinton). Pfarrer finds himself also entwined with Litzke as well after they meet on an Internet dating site. Clooney is exceptionally good at being funny and, like Pitt, his abilities translate well over multiple genres.
The flow and effectiveness of "Burn After Reading" are just as much a product of its stellar cast as it is of the Coen Brothers' tight writing style and directorial elegance. It has been said that their scripts are flawless, without typos and are meant to be read verbatim. The dialogue is punchy but simple, all while maintaining a high level of comedic flavor.
Camera angles and shots are also used to send a larger message, particularly during a scene involving Osbourne and his wife. A complicated shot using mirrors creates the sense that Osbourne is a victim more than anything, all eyes focusing on his dropping body as he explains why he left his job.
The editing also deserves a nod at certain points of the film. Fast-paced cuts are often used to create the feeling of paranoia.
"Burn After Reading" is another chapter of the Coen Brothers' volume of extraordinary work. Although it may not be as good as their past films, such as "The Big Lebowski" or "No Country For Old Men," it is almost destined to become a classic, showcasing what the cinema is all about: entertainment.
Chad Feldheimer (Pitt), Litzke's co-worker, is hands-down the funniest character of the film. Pitt's performance in "Burn After Reading" is a testament to the fact that he is fully capable of being a comedic powerhouse on film. Feldheimer's apparent low level of intelligence and heightened sense of conspiracy and espionage make for guaranteed laughs and one of the most shocking scenes of the film. Viewers will definitely have a hard time thinking of the Feldheimer character without sparking a smirk; his physical actions are unforgettable.
In perhaps the film's runner-up performance, George Clooney plays the fast-talking ladies man and State Treasury agent Harry Pfarrer, chasing women at an unrelenting pace. Pfarrer ties every other character together; he is the final cog in the plot's tight structure. He is directly linked to Cox through a passionate fling he has with Osbourne's wife Katie (Tilda Swinton). Pfarrer finds himself also entwined with Litzke as well after they meet on an Internet dating site. Clooney is exceptionally good at being funny and, like Pitt, his abilities translate well over multiple genres.
The flow and effectiveness of "Burn After Reading" are just as much a product of its stellar cast as it is of the Coen Brothers' tight writing style and directorial elegance. It has been said that their scripts are flawless, without typos and are meant to be read verbatim. The dialogue is punchy but simple, all while maintaining a high level of comedic flavor.
Camera angles and shots are also used to send a larger message, particularly during a scene involving Osbourne and his wife. A complicated shot using mirrors creates the sense that Osbourne is a victim more than anything, all eyes focusing on his dropping body as he explains why he left his job.
The editing also deserves a nod at certain points of the film. Fast-paced cuts are often used to create the feeling of paranoia.
"Burn After Reading" is another chapter of the Coen Brothers' volume of extraordinary work. Although it may not be as good as their past films, such as "The Big Lebowski" or "No Country For Old Men," it is almost destined to become a classic, showcasing what the cinema is all about: entertainment.
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