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Movies Forum Index » Movie Reviews Forum » Review: Burn after Reading (2008)...
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| Homer Yen... |
 Posted: Wed Sep 24, 2008 12:19 am |
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"Burn after Reading" - Much Ado about Nothing
by Homer Yen
(c) 2008
Like the myriad of characters that populate the film, this movie is
likewise all over the place. Yes, it has got its funny moments. But
it feels cynical throughout. And, at the same time while there seems
to be a kinetic pace to the film, the story goes nowhere. "Burn after
Reading", despite individual breakout performances, can't manage to
keep things together.
Here's a movie that starts off with promise. It is a comedy
surrounding people who just deserve to be punished for their
stupidity. Most of the characters, with their shallow goals and
selfish actions and complete utter disregard for common sense, seem
zany beyond belief. But the promise goes unrealized. Except for
perhaps 1 character (the manager of a fitness center), none of them
seem like real people. Some people have affairs. Some people commit
crimes. Some people have errors in judgment. But, none of the
extra-marital hookups seem to possess any chemistry or spark. None of
the crimes are carried out with any style or suspense. And as for the
errors in judgment, let's just say that the resulting tone of the film
is itself a miscalculation.
With an all-star cast (including George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Frances
McDormand, Tilda Swinson, John Malkovich), each A-list Hollywood actor
does get their moment to shine. The best surprise, though, is given
by Pitt's character who is a dimwitted fitness coach who stumbles upon
a CD-Rom that contains what appears to be top secret US government
material. He is so sophomoric that I'm surprised he even knows how to
open the file in the first place. But his ineptitude is proven quite
easily when one of his even-shallower co-workers coaxes him to engage
in a thinly planned extortion scheme.
I could see where people might find this funny. Dumb situations can
always lead to laughter. But two things kept getting in the way of an
enjoyable time. First, the entire tone of the film is constantly
disdainful. The film is loaded with characters that always make the
dumbest of choices. Door A is blue, and it will lead you to safety.
Door B is red, and it will lead you to death. Oddly, they all pick
the red door, Door B every darn time! The unbelievable thing is that
no one ever learns from their failures. And their sad and absurd
state-of-mind begins to suck in other innocent people who really
deserve better.
The other problem is that the various characters don't necessarily
mesh within the framework of the story. It's like when your grandma
knitted you a sweater, but the interwoven yarn came loose here and
there. The texture of the sweater is frayed. And so too is the body
of this film.
Even if you can overlook these two points, you won't be able to get
out of the way of the silly ending. The final scene happens so
abruptly that you won't leave your chair when the final credits roll
because you actually demand more from the film. Well, tough luck.
"Burn after Reading" overpromises but under-delivers.
Grade: C
S: 2 out of 3
L: 3 out of 3
V: 3 out of 3 |
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