JiFFest 2008: 'Burn after reading' another Coen Bros. success

Ika Krismantari ,  The Jakarta Post ,  Jakarta   |  Tue, 12/09/2008 11:43 AM  |  Entertainment

What is the principle mission of comedic film directors? The simple answer: Make their audience laugh.

And given that timeless truth, the Coen Brothers have come through in spades with their latest satirical comedy, this one about the world of espionage, Burn after reading.

The story revolves around CIA agent Osbourne Cox (John Malkovich), whose life takes a miserable turn when his career in the Company ends abruptly. He rebuffs the higher-ups' decision to demote him for a reason he thinks ridiculous: a drinking problem.

"I have a drinking problem? You're a Mormon.... Compared to you, we all do!", Cox says in mocking tones, which drew the first bursts of laughter from the audience at a recent screening.

Cox is also forced to contemplate a looming divorce, as his wife (Tilda Swinton) decides to leave him for her lover: federal marshal and womanizer Harry Pfarrer (George Clooney).

To add mishap to insult, Cox's plan to publish his memoir gets rudely disrupted after a CD containing all his writings, including some classified information, falls into the wrong hands, the mitts of Linda Lintzke (Frances McDormand), a desperate woman looking for love who decides to blackmail Cox to meet her dire need for money to pay for her plastic surgery.

After their huge success with the award-winning No Country for Old Men (NCOM), the Coens have tried to reach the same heights with this latest plot-twister, which showcases a line-up of great actors: Clooney, Malkovich, McDormand, Swinton.

And may I point out Brad Pitt? He plays an attractive and credulously moronic gym instructor. Compliments to Pitt for his performance. He manages to set aside his natural charm to play an excellent idiot.

This time around the Coens used a different formula, one that did not rely on the super character of a cold-blooded killer, as in NCOM.

With the tag line "intelligence is relative", Burn after reading is a story about the lives of average people as they try to salvage their careers, marriages and love lives through unthinkable means.

The film's scenario is well done and the characters are connected in a solid plot; viewers will easily believe the connections between all the roles.

The brothers remain loyal to their Coenian style, leaving the audience guessing how the story will end until the very last minute.

The Coens focused on plot and the unfolding of the story line. With the location shooting taking place mostly in Washington, D.C., the brothers have kept the cinematography prosaic.

It is no surprise to see the Coen brothers build on their success, adding accolades from Burn after reading to those of the comedies, screwball and black, and genre-escaping films they have directed since 1984. So far the movie has raked in US$127.4 million in the nine weeks since its U.S. release in September, nearing NCOM's $161 million.

Burn after reading was chosen as the opening film for this year's Jakarta International Film Festival (JiFFest). The film is still not scheduled for release in theaters in Indonesia, but rumors suggest it may come to cinemas here early next year.

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