An unlabeled CD is found on the floor of the gym, and discovered by the clueless gym employees. They view the CD and discover some "serious" government stuff. One employee, Chad (Pitt) decides they should offer to return the disc, for a modest fee. Co-worker Linda (McDormand) agrees to the plan, so she afford the numerous surgeries she wants to undergo. Unfortunately the information they find belongs to former CIA agent Osbourne Cox (Malkovich) who has a drinking / violence problem. He lashes out, and refuses to meet their demands.
Meanwhile, Cox's wife Katie (Swinton) is having an affair with a married man from the Treasury, Harry Pfarrer (Clooney). Harry dates many women he meets online, including Linda. Linda and Chad seek a bidder for their important information, Katie gets a divorce, Cox lives on his boat, and Ted (Jenkins) tries to get Linda to notice him. The CIA watch the events unfold and report to their boss (J.K. Simmons), similar to a Greek chorus (essentially narrating the events, and commenting on the action).
Moral of the story: don't go to the gym... with work related materials. Not what I was expecting. Within the first few minutes of the film we are met with an onslaught of f bombs, which continues anytime John Malkovich is onscreen. Yes, other characters swear, but it reaches an excess with Malkovich's Cox. The story is interesting... the writers (who also directed the film) add some unexpected twists that keep you guessing (you probably won't know the ending...I didn't). A good cast and some quirky characters. George Clooney and Brad Pitt embrace the zaniness of their characters, and steal the show. Not my favorite film, but it was interesting.
Meanwhile, Cox's wife Katie (Swinton) is having an affair with a married man from the Treasury, Harry Pfarrer (Clooney). Harry dates many women he meets online, including Linda. Linda and Chad seek a bidder for their important information, Katie gets a divorce, Cox lives on his boat, and Ted (Jenkins) tries to get Linda to notice him. The CIA watch the events unfold and report to their boss (J.K. Simmons), similar to a Greek chorus (essentially narrating the events, and commenting on the action).
Moral of the story: don't go to the gym... with work related materials. Not what I was expecting. Within the first few minutes of the film we are met with an onslaught of f bombs, which continues anytime John Malkovich is onscreen. Yes, other characters swear, but it reaches an excess with Malkovich's Cox. The story is interesting... the writers (who also directed the film) add some unexpected twists that keep you guessing (you probably won't know the ending...I didn't). A good cast and some quirky characters. George Clooney and Brad Pitt embrace the zaniness of their characters, and steal the show. Not my favorite film, but it was interesting.
Burn After Reading (2008) 96 minutes
Rating: R for pervasive language, some sexual content and violence
Director: Joel and Ethan Coen
Starring: George Clooney as Harry Pfarrer
Frances McDormand as Linda Litzke
John Malkovich as Osbourne Cox
Tilda Swinton as Katie Cox
Brad Pitt as Chad Feldheimer
Richard Jenkins as Ted Treffon
Rating: R for pervasive language, some sexual content and violence
Director: Joel and Ethan Coen
Starring: George Clooney as Harry Pfarrer
Frances McDormand as Linda Litzke
John Malkovich as Osbourne Cox
Tilda Swinton as Katie Cox
Brad Pitt as Chad Feldheimer
Richard Jenkins as Ted Treffon
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