“Burn After Reading” is a comedy of errors or, as the movie has been tagged, ‘a smart movie about stupid people.’ A plot this convoluted and peculiar can only come from the twisted minds of the Coen Brothers. Linda Litzke (Frances McDormand) and Chad Feldheimer (Brad Pitt), a couple of dim-witted characters who work in a health club, stumble on a disk containing notes ex-CIA agent Osborne Cox (John Malkovich) has made for his memoirs. Because Linda is in dire need of funds for some cosmetic surgery, she convinces Chad that the disk provides a prime opportunity to blackmail Cox out of some money. Meanwhile, Cox’s wife Katie (Tilda Swinton) is having an affair with Harry Pfarrer (George Clooney), a federal marshal who trolls Internet dating sites for other women. Harry, who is also married, coincidentally meets Linda and starts an affair with her. Also in the mix is Ted Treffon (Richard Jenkins), who manages the health club and is in love with Linda although he is reluctant to say anything to her. Observing all of the goings-on are CIA honchos played by David Rasche and J.K. Simmons, who provide some of the funniest lines in the movie.
The Coens enhance this complicated plot by tossing in shock after shock, effective because they are so matter-of-fact. Whether it’s Linda trying to strike a deal with the Russians or Chad attempting to be another James Bond, they just keep piling things on. And their cast is top notch. Clooney has sleaze down to an art form as Harry and Pitt is hilarious. Frances McDormand gets to play a truly screwball character although for Malkovich, wacky is familiar territory. Rounding out this truly stellar cast are Richard Jenkins and Tilda Swinton. “Burn After Reading,” a comedy with dramatic elements or a drama with comedic elements is certainly worth seeing. 9/29/08
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