Friday, September 19, 2008

Burn After Reading

US/GB/FR (c) 2008 Focus Features. P+D+SC+ED: Ethan Coen, Joel Coen. P also: Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner. DP: Emmanuel Lubezki - 35mm - digital intermediate - print 35mm color 1:1,85. M: Carter Burwell. Starring George Clooney (Harry Pfarrer), Frances McDormand (Linda Litzke), Brad Pitt (Chad Feldheimer), John Malkovich (Osborne Cox), Tilda Swinton (Katie Cox), Richard Jenkins (Ted Treffon), David Rasche (CIA Officer), J.K. Simmons (CIA Superior). A FS Film print viewed at the opening gala of the Helsinki International Film Festival (Love & Anarchy) at Bio Rex, Helsinki, 18 September 2008. - Print with a slightly denatured digital intermediate look. - The Coen brothers in good form. - Joel Coen: "If you want to call it a comedy I wouldn't protest. It's sort of about the CIA, the culture of physical fitness and internet dating". - The auteurs see this as the third film of their idiot trilogy. - A black comedy with fine performances (the best performance I have seen from Brad Pitt) and effective music by Carter Burwell. - The satire of a soulless way of life got a good laugh response from the audience. - The sharply written film has surprising twists, the ensemble is excellent, and it is not totally empty.

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