I bought this slim little novel at my local library's used book sale a few weeks ago and as I read it it seemed very familiar to me. Well it turns out there was a good reason for that, it's because I had seen the film adaption of it years before I had read the novel and I loved it. Now I can say I love the novel that they based the film on as well.
On the whole I rather liked it. It's a dark comedy about cheating spouses, gym employees, and people on the fringe of the Washington DC intelligence apparatus. A computer disc with some quasi important information on it gets left behind in a locker room in a gym and the worlds of those involved come crashing down as a result.
George Clooney is good in this movie, as is Brad Pitt, and Frances McDormand. John Malkovich is really good in this movie and if you ask me he's at his best in roles like this one and the one he did in Art School Confidential. I guess Tilda Swinton was all right in this film but I'm not the best judge of her cinematic work because I think she's scary. That's right, she scares me. And I think she's unattractive too. The thought of cozying up to next to her at night in bed sends shivers down my spine. I never said I wasn't shallow, now did I?
I recommend the movie in spite of Ms. Swinton, although don't expect it to be a laugh riot. It's more a black comedy than anything.
11 comments:
Man, I LOVED Burn After Reading - almost as good as The Big Lebowski in terms of Coen brothers productions. You can't beat them for dialogue and Pitt stole the show in it. I thought Tilda did a great job of playing an ice queen! I haven't seen her in anything else, though.
tilda swinton scares the crap out of me too.
I've been thinking about watching that movie, and tonight may be just the night I do it! I love all those people in the cast - except Ms. Swinton, of who I never have seen in a movie, as far as I know.
I do have to admit, based solely on the photo of her on the DVD cover (assuming that IS her) she does look a bit, oh, reptilian, doesn't she?
There's nothing I like more than movies about gym employees.
I loved "Burn After Reading" too. I will now put "The Emperor's New Clothes" on my list.
I think it was about 3 weeks ago I bough "Burn After Reading"...memo to self SIT DOWN AND WATCH IT! I do that all the time, maybe I think I'm saving them for a moviethon when the cable is out.
Tilda is odd-looking but I like her. She was good in Michael Clayton, too.
Thanks for the heads up on the book, I will look for it!
Hmmm, I think Tilda Swinton is attractive. go figure.
Actually I find her quite attractive too.
I think Tilda Swinton is totally fierce! I'd pick her on my side for dodgeball anytime.
My daughter said the movie was shorter than most Coen Bros. movies*. Thoughts?
*I mean, obviously shorter than Miller's Crossing. Thought that would never end.
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