The latest Coen brothers movie Burn After Reading was not what I was expecting.  I have a theory that the Coen’s each write their own style of movie and then decide to just make whichever is ready first.  Their movies are easily placed into two groups.  For sake of argument, lets say Ethan writes movies like Miller’s Crossing, Fargo,  The Man Who Wasn’t There, and No Country For Old Men; while Joel writes movies like Raising Arizona, The Big Lebowski, and Burn After Reading.  For this reason, it’s tough to know exactly what you are in for with a Coen brothers movie and that is a great idea on their part.

I would hazzard a guess that anyone who likes the movies I attribute to Joel will really enjoy Burn After Reading.  It’s fantastic and wity and full of surprises and topped off with a fantastic cast playing great roles.  I wasn’t sure about Brad Pitt in this movie from the previews, but he really pulls off this impossibly dim gym trainer who finds a CD of files and thinks he can get a reward for returning it to the owner.

Without spoiling anything, there are several parts that just work and become hilarious as you watch it.  I don’t know if it’s specifically the writing or also how it’s shot that really makes it go beyond a simple comedy, but in my opinion it certainly does.

Rating: Definately worth seeing, if not in the theatre, at home will work just as well.

• Brad Pitt
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