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Burn After Reading
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Burn After Reading

2008
Comedy, Crime
1h 36m
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Avg Percentile 51.84% from 10517 total ratings

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(10517)
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Rated 15 Sep 2008
75
74th
A tragedy played for laughs. It never seems to fully cohere, but damn if its ending (depicting the institutional indifference of the intelligence community to the suffering of individuals) doesn't pack a bite. The laughs stick in the throat.
Rated 06 Oct 2008
92
95th
I think the best way to think of Burn After Reading is a combination of a Shakespeare tragedy, combined with Syriana and Dr. Strangelove. Where Syriana shows how morally bankrupt the C.I.A. has become Burn After Reading shows how inept they have become at their primary function: gathering intelligence. An absolutely fantastic ensemble cast, honestly everyone in this is perfect for their role, combined with the Coen brothers' incredible dark comedy make for a must see film.
Rated 18 Sep 2008
71
45th
An amusing and very dark comedy that in the end feels rather slight. While Pitt proves he has some great comedic chops and the performances as a whole are pretty strong, the Coens have such clear contempt for their characters that the movie in places feels kind of cheap. The film reminds me of the smartass kid in the back of the class - the nihilistic and cynical commentary can be very funny, but ultimately you wish it had something more substantial to offer.
Rated 26 Mar 2009
90
89th
Christ this movie is good. The Coens are the only people in the world to make Brad Pitt look like the biggest retard on the face of this planet. Everyone was perfectly cast, the comedy was so well done, and the character all seem like people you yourself can relate to, this movie was extremely fluid and well executed, and as usual, the Coens did it again.
Rated 10 Dec 2008
5
98th
Great performances all around, but especially from Swinton whose facial expressions alone make for some of the funniest moments. You will laugh a lot and feel slightly uncomfortable about it: the Coens prove they are still the undisputed masters of dark, nihilistic comedy.
Rated 29 Dec 2009
50
4th
Note 2Coens: kudos 4 a cleverly constructed, plot-driven unpredictable jigsaw puzzle of a story that "comes 2gether" by the end. However, remember that quirky characters & situations r not automatically funny; when making a comedy it's important that the viewer not just see the joke but actually, u know, laugh. No doubt Coen sychophants fulfill their duties& giggle at cues like Clooney repeatedly saying "I could go4 a run" after sex, but the rest of us expect more than coasting on comedic quirk.
Rated 15 Nov 2008
85
87th
Hilarious satire about surveillance. The ending dialogue between Simmons und Rasche is the funniest thing I've heard this year.
Rated 01 Sep 2018
97
99th
I'm not quite ready to say I might like this more than The Big Lebowski, but I'm close. It's so diverse and consistent with laughs and style. I'm sure the Coen brothers' parents were proud when they saw what Clooney was building in the basement.
Rated 11 Nov 2020
90
91st
I absolutely love the plot with inept criminals and unsavory characters played by a fantastic cast. I also thought it was hilarious, especially when she thought to go to the Russians and John Malkovich's parts in general. I may be overrating this, but I just had so much fun watching it.
Rated 14 Sep 2008
75
71st
Great stuff. The Coen's always manage to come up with something that's not only good, but pretty damn original too. The funnest part of this movie, aside from the great performances and convoluted plot, is that it's almost about nothing (at least not anything important) and none of the characters really know what the fuck is going on either. It's all misinterpretation and confusion. Starts a touch slow, but once it gets going, its funny, original, and clever.Brad Pitt steals every scene too.
Rated 13 Sep 2008
91
82nd
The critics don't know irrelevant hilarity when it smacks them across the face anymore. The Coens hit another home-run after No Country for Old Men, lightening the mood with what is one of the funniest films of the year. This is a reunion for a few of the actors involved but it's not like you could tell, everyone is so good here that you can't help but love the chemistry. Just a very funny and wonderful little gem.
Rated 21 Sep 2011
80
78th
So underrated. One of the most hysterically absurd moovies you'll ever see, and the casting is perfect.
Rated 21 Jun 2017
77
63rd
Breezy espionage thriller that skewers digital age superficiality. Excellent cast/characters but the third act deflates and ultimately feels incomplete, leaving me wish it had been maybe 40 minutes longer. Somehow it's still the only Coen feature I've seen on the big screen.
Rated 07 Apr 2010
90
94th
The Clooney shooting Brad Pitt in the face...Frances McDormand blackmailing the Russian Embassy for plastic surgery...Malkovich axing people in the head.. HOW CAN YOU NOT LOVE THIS?
Rated 13 Jul 2009
3
45th
The point is pointless, but this ain't a satire of MacGuffin so much as it is of Jack Ryan and Jason Bourne-style buffoons engaging in buffoonery. Perhaps to be intentionally vapid is low-hanging fruit, but this is an often hilarious little aside from the Coens.
Rated 21 Sep 2009
70
59th
Solid film, but not a top-notch Coen brothers effort. Brad Pitt was the highlight in this film. His character had me at least smiling every time he was on screen. After that, it was Malkovitch, who was solid throughout. The rest of the cast was fine, but I really didnt find myself caring about them all that much, then again, maybe I wasnt supposed to. And the ending, with all it's ebbs and flows is best summed up as "full of sound and fury, signifying nothing"
Rated 06 Apr 2009
64
8th
Absolutely second-rate material, consistently from start to finish. There was nothing particularly funny, clever, likeable or intriguing about any facet of this movie. With all the hype the Coens get, you've got to expect better.
Rated 29 Sep 2008
83
67th
Burn After Reading is a real delight. Though it's nowhere near the top of the Coen brother's catalog, it's reminiscent of their great comedies like The Big Lebowski and Raising Arizona in all the right ways. Brad Pitt is notably spectacular being that he is stomach-painingly hilarious in nearly every scene he's in. Though the movie starts off a little slow, I appreciated the subtlety of Malkovich's character. Great movie, surely one of 08's best so far.
Rated 05 Feb 2009
65
8th
Has its moments, but is as misanthropic and bleak as Fargo without the warm glow of Fargo's family scenes and weird characters (Steve Buscemi, Peter Stormare). Everybody's acting on low motives. On the whole, nothing is gained, nothing is learned. Is that why we watch movies? Not me. As for the oh-so-brilliant satire of CIA "incompetence" - hasn't it occurred to anyone that the events might have been just too petty for the CIA to investigate and that this is why they never quite figured it out?
Rated 21 Sep 2008
71
35th
Superb comedic performances across the board make it a very enjoyable watch. But like most coen brothers flicks, I really want to love, but I just can't for some reason.
Rated 03 Mar 2010
67
46th
A frustrating, inescapable progression of folly. What's lacking here is sympathetic or identifiable characters. All the players navigate by blinkered self-interest and while there are some chuckles to be had the inevitable implosion is always just around the corner. Why would we care when everybody had it coming? Amusing, but hollow.
Rated 28 Oct 2008
2
21st
Needs more Pitt. Pretty shitty followup to No Country.
Rated 11 Dec 2009
85
88th
This movie has one of the most definitive point of no returns I've ever seen: When Clooney's character reveals what he's been building in the basement, you'll either love this movie till the end of time, or be forever lost.
Rated 11 Dec 2008
6
55th
The meeting between Pitt and Malkovich, where Pitt pulls up on his bike, enters the car and gives Malkovich his "evil stare" (trying to hide his clulessness)... Epic.
Rated 06 Nov 2008
75
12th
Quite a dissapointment for me. Just didn't click like so many other Coen Brother films I adore. Thumbs down.
Rated 08 Sep 2008
80
85th
Despite the reviews, this was pretty darn funny. The humor is more quirky than the typical "Step Brothers"/"Tropic Thunder" type of comedy, but that's not a bad thing. Solid performances by the A-list cast. The story makes almost no sense at all, but one of the characters points out this fact, in some pretty funny scenes.
Rated 14 Oct 2008
85
85th
The blackest of black comedies. This spy-based tragicomedy packs the bleakness of No Country, wrapped in laughs to make it more palatable. Everyone in the cast is on point -- Pitt especially gets a laugh with every line. I could watch a whole movie of him saying "Osbourne Cox." Only the Coens can make movies about 'nothing' so damn watchable. This one hangs onto its scenes longer than most would, mining them for more awkward humour. It's lonely and claustrophobic, and yet hilarious. "Memwah."
Rated 19 Mar 2012
78
85th
The music is used to such great effect. Masterful storytelling even if the story is purposely insignificant. Malkovich has one of the all time wtf's ever.
Rated 18 Jan 2010
85
94th
Not bad this movie and a really crazy comedian with 3 great topactors. A special movie of the Coen brothers and I have never seen B.Pitt and G.Clooney acting so crazy, very funny to watch.
Rated 08 Jul 2009
83
84th
Very enjoyable, especially if you like spy movies. The characters are all predictably arch exaggerations, but that doesn't stop many of them from being amusing. Bonus credit for one of the most surprising encounters I've seen on film in a long time. I would have loved to have seen more of David Rasche in this.
Rated 20 Sep 2008
40
8th
This is Fargo without the moral weight that Marge Gunderson brings to the picture. In other words, an amusing and sometimes even funny, but ultimately soulless experience.
Rated 19 Feb 2009
82
94th
A movie that is quirky in itself. Brad Pritt is just hilarious. It is a movie in which all the characters have a complete chaotic life, at the same time they just think that they are completely fine. Its a wonderful movie and must see.
Rated 21 Apr 2009
80
70th
Overall a pretty funny movie. McDormand and Pitt's attempts at blackmail were pretty amusing with the overall phonecall taking the cake. I think the Coen's might have tried too hard to add their normal brand of weirdness in some parts (Clooney invention), but it wasn't that big a deal for me. I really have started to enjoy Simmons charater roles (Juno and I love You Man), and in this one his dry, dead-pan humor as the CIA boss took the cake for me. Overall a solid flick with laughs
Rated 27 Feb 2009
87
83rd
I hate to admit it, but Brad Pitt was absolutely hilarious in every single moment he was on screen. I loved him in this. Also, Frances McDormand is always great and for that matter, so was the rest of the cast. I don't think I would have liked this nearly as much if not for the chemistry between the actors. Things got a little confusing toward the end, as one might expect from the Coens. It kind of left me unsure of my feelings, but ultimately, I enjoyed just about every moment of this.
Rated 21 Apr 2009
4
70th
For a while it's sort of "What the fuck is this" and then it's utterly hilarious. It's like a series of skits that culminates in one of the most bizarre climaxes ever. I couldn't stop laughing towards the end of the film. One of the funniest movies I've seen in a while.
Rated 14 Sep 2008
7
84th
A huge amount of blackly comic fun. It builds a touch slowly but the sheer, creative absurdity of the final act is brilliant. Brad Pitt is the major scene-stealer and wins a laugh with damn near every line.
Rated 22 Oct 2008
71
34th
Its ludicrous, chaotic and fantastically quirky. A series of chance encounters and linked stories leaves most of the characters totally unaware of the entire picture despite them believing they are completely in control of their life. Brad Pitt is hilarious every time he appears, a man of many talents !
Rated 03 Jan 2010
90
93rd
A personal favourite from the Coens that I find undeservingly overlooked and underrated. A seriously funny dark comedy that has it's share of Coen touch and shock value. Check it out.
Rated 06 Jul 2015
78
80th
Brilliant spy movie that is actually not at all about spying or politics, but all about the characters involved, their relations and human nature in general. Personally, I'm really not a big fan of Clooney or Pitt, but the cast is just perfect. I never expected to laugh this hard during a movie whose summary reads so boring.
Rated 15 Jan 2009
90
94th
It is a movie full of laughs sincere in making his criticism, with very dark humor. With a different script, very well done and original. The Coen brothers once again make a great work.
Rated 21 Sep 2008
81
67th
It is one of the comedy stand outs by the Cohen Brothers. It walks a perfect line between dry and slap stick that never strays too far in one direction. This combines with an intriguing plot that is so self aware about its ridiculousness that it only adds to the comedy.
Rated 25 Jul 2010
68
39th
While not as good as other Coen brothers films, Burn After Reading is still a nice comedy thriller
Rated 18 Dec 2009
48
52nd
Amusing, good performances, but far from memorable. I sort of feel that stupid comedy should be left to the specialists and the Coens should aim higher.
Rated 13 Feb 2012
78
85th
A sadly underrated entry in the Coen comedy oeuvre. The Coens are at their best when writing inept criminals. Brad Pitt especially shines here.
Rated 04 Mar 2012
91
91st
Hilarious story with fools at every level. Very surprising role for Brad Pitt. Very entertaining.
Rated 09 Dec 2013
65
83rd
What the hell was the plot in this movie? Regardless, still a fun and enjoyable film, with Brad Pitt stealing all his scenes.
Rated 14 Feb 2018
51
54th
An uneven tone and an overloaded plot frustrate what could have been a misanthropic masterpiece.
Rated 29 Jun 2019
60
32nd
This has all the convoluted plot but none of the exaggerated farcical tone needed to make a great caper comedy. Whoda thought Brad Pitt would be the one to steal the show in the A-list lineup here.
Rated 18 Jan 2009
40
25th
The Coen's don't quite deliver with this witty spy-comedy. It's all a bit messy, the wornout clichés we've all seen in films like Fargo and even the dialogue feels uninteresting. Constantly repeating "fuck" doesn't make it any more clever. The ending ties the whole thing together quite nicely, but by then the viewer's already lost interest. It feels like they were in a rush.
Rated 20 Feb 2009
1
1st
A movie that gets less and less entertaining as it goes along. Never have so many good actors turned in such annoying performances. It's like everyone is John Goodman's Walter Sobchak character without Jeff Bridges' The Dude to balance things out.
Rated 14 Apr 2009
70
79th
Get ready for the old cringe and chuckle, Coen style.
Rated 26 Jan 2010
83
75th
I really don't think the Coen Brothers have a bad movie in them. While this isn't as epic as No Country for Old Men or Blood Simple, it's enjoyable from beginning to end, and that's all that matters in a comedy like this.
Rated 17 Oct 2017
71
37th
By-the-numbers Coens. Throw estranged weirdo characters into a blender (or wood chipper) and see what happens. Without the exacting polish of their greatest works, there is not that much separating this from average cinematic fodder, but it has its moments. Brad Pitt is fantastic in a throwback to his True Romance role.
Rated 01 Aug 2009
82
87th
Brilliant offbeat comedy from the Coen's. The casting is perfect all round, but in particular Clooney and Swinton have an excellent on screen chemistry just as they do in "Michael Clayton". The script is sharp and witty, and characters comic, but well rounded and strangely realistic. I also love the ending and the very final scene is just super. Once again the Coen's hit the mark.
Rated 08 Jan 2009
90
94th
I have heard people criticize the Coens for it, but I find the most appealing quality in their films to be the realistic lack of awareness and authority of their usually inept characters.
Rated 10 Dec 2008
78
75th
Lots of fun moments and good story.
Rated 22 Sep 2008
78
76th
Burn After Reading is pretty funny for smart stupid-humor. Brad Pitt knocks this one out of the park - when's he's onscreen you are aching. Malkovich, Clooney and McDormand also do well, and the Coen's keep things going surprisingly well even if it's all a bit of a jumble. For a film where literally so much happens for no reason at all, everyone's mostly on game, and the actors are playing it dumb to have fun and overall, I joined in on all the ridiculousness. Pitt deserves an Oscar nod.
Rated 03 Jan 2009
51
22nd
If they had used that dildo-machine, I might have bumped the score up a little.
Rated 26 Feb 2010
89
91st
Man, this was such a good movie. Really got me into the Coen Brothers.
Rated 14 Jun 2009
70
44th
Meh. It has all the elements of a good Coen Bros. film, just not the execution.
Rated 31 Oct 2008
98
98th
I can't say more than absolutely perfect, brilliant and 100% entertaining. Just Coen
Rated 21 Feb 2009
70
51st
The funniest Coens film in years. Seems like everyone enjoyed doing it as much as one enjoys watching it.
Rated 17 Jun 2009
81
82nd
Good movie, outstanding casting. You get really paranoid when you see this. Weird structure and weird shit.. and .. shit, but that's so typical Coen. Good satirical movie in which we see the daily lives of normal people and the weird (and maybe worrying) fact is that I recognize real people in this. In this film we see people in which I recognize the neighbours, friends but also myself.. I think that's what makes is so hilareous. Good one!
Rated 17 Mar 2009
78
89th
Enjoyable. The way in which the movie takes for granted both the omniscience of surveillance and the indifference of those doing the watching and listening is very amusing. Good performances by all the leads, especially Pitt.
Rated 12 Sep 2008
80
88th
After the more serious and heavy 'No Country for Old Men', this fluffy and lite Coen brothers project turns out to be pleasant change. A convoluted plot with all the characters paths crossing each other in all sort of ways, and some very likable characters. My favorites were the short-tempered ex-CIA agent played by John Malkovich, and the no-brains-all-brawns gym trainer played by Brad Pitt. A good watch.
Rated 09 Jul 2009
73
62nd
As the movie it seemed like this was two brothers just goofing around with an absurd collection of characters, situations and sex-toys. This has been a good intermezzo for their next big project.
Rated 20 Nov 2008
89
76th
"(...) Yes, i know very well what you represent. You represent the idiocy of today!"
Rated 20 Sep 2008
30
14th
I prefer to laugh at situations rather than people. Overcrafted. A bunch of one note characters.
Rated 26 Sep 2009
95
98th
This movie is hilarious! Brad Pitt is fantastic! John Malkovich is God! Just the whole cast and movie is flawless. Holy shit, this movie is just amazingly awesome
Rated 10 Oct 2015
67
42nd
Frances McDormand is absolutely brilliant in this movie. The movie has a moderately interesting story, but I don't see much else.
Rated 15 Jun 2009
75
76th
CIA man. Funny movie.
Rated 28 Jan 2009
78
36th
This is a pretty nifty and dark comedy. As is occasionally there wont, the Coen brothers overplay their cards, providing a chorus of officials to remind the viewer just how pointless the proceedings actually are. That kind of left a bad taste in my mouth. Everybody involved, though, is fun to watch.
Rated 03 Apr 2012
90
92nd
Clooney's chair.
Rated 20 Aug 2009
75
67th
Very dark and definitely an acquired taste. I really enjoy films like this. They are funny, not so much in laugh out loud ways (although there are some laugh out loud moments) but in subtle situational ways. Everyone brings it acting-wise and their outstanding efforts makes this movie very enjoyable if you like dark comedies.
Rated 01 Dec 2008
70
76th
A perfect casting of the Coen brothers, especially Pitt as the 'nerdy' gym instructeur was brilliant. Highly enjoyable.
Rated 17 Sep 2008
7
57th
Ridiculous and funny
Rated 08 Feb 2013
72
56th
Enjoyable caper, with some decent laughs, but generally the script was too thin to support the terrific cast. In the same way QT uses "Nigga", the Coens fall back on "What the fuuuuuuuuck!!" as their 'go to' in order to pad out a script, although I have to say, Malkovich does say it awfully well. Hats off to Rasche and Simmons as the CIA expositors; their comic timing was simply a joy to behold anbd their scenes stole the show. Just one of those films that didnt QUITE work for me.
Rated 31 Oct 2008
84
99th
It's nice to see the Coen Brothers going back to what they are good at after the slightly disappointing No Country For Old Men. It might actually be better than the Big Lebowski.
Rated 26 Dec 2008
80
83rd
Brilliant Brad Pitt. Good story and acting, but not till the end with the Coen bros. quality. Specially the beginning is pretty sticky.
Rated 13 Sep 2008
90
66th
This film is hilarious, brilliant, shocking, dark, silly, and above all, entertaining. Funny on the level of Lebowski and accomplished on the level of No Country. Perfect cast. Wonderful film. It is aware of the fact that it doesn't make a lot of sense. That's the point.
Rated 19 Jan 2009
30
25th
The only good part is when Brad Pitt's brains spray all over the inside of the closet.
Rated 15 Feb 2009
60
49th
A great collection of actors, although only Brad Pitt and John Malkovich stood out for me. Yes, there were a few parts that got a laugh out of me, some for the wrong reasons. The story didn't keep me engaged, I just went through the motions.
Rated 12 Sep 2008
90
86th
A comedy for snobs and misanthropes. IOW, it's right up my alley. *evil grin* (Beware the trailer, though: it makes it look like the movie is about Brad Pitt, when really it's an ensemble piece)
Rated 03 Jan 2009
68
64th
Good. A decent dark comedy involving an ex-CIA analyst, cheating spouses, accidental spies and murderers, and its not a bad mix, handled very competently by the Coens, worth a rental.
Rated 15 Jul 2009
90
93rd
And that's the story of how Linda Litski got the money for her cosmetic procedures.
Rated 25 Jun 2012
80
89th
I liked this better than 'No country for old men', which in my circles seems to be regarded as some sort of apostasy.
Rated 07 Mar 2015
6
43rd
Pitt is a definite highlight here; his manic, dim, gum-chewing gym employee is a riot, the best of an already eclectic cast of characters. The espionage plot is outrageous and not entirely cohesive or coherent, but a comedic gem of a final scene with Simmons makes it clear that this was intentional. It still feels like a cop-out though, and what could have been a great film considering its proven directors and loaded cast is just a good one-funny and entertaining, but not altogether brilliant.
Rated 17 Sep 2008
86
86th
So bizarre, but so well done and likable. I guess, walking in, I expected somewhat of a spy spoof. What I got was a very sharply made, but loose-feeling film about desperate, weak people, and a really god damn intriguing one at that. I still couldn't tell you exactly why I liked it, or why it was fun, but it was.
Rated 30 Dec 2008
90
90th
Fucking hilarious. Great cast with 2 great directors. Bradd Pitt s amazing , but so is the rest of the cast. J.K Simmons only has a few lines , but they are all funny. Well written story.Actually there isnt a plot , because nobady has a clue what is happening and who everybody else really is. Call it a drama , a ( dark) comedy , a great movie , ... But besides the humor there is a underlying 'blink' towards the world. Great movie , watch it and laugh your ass of with especially Brad Pitt.
Rated 13 Sep 2008
95
87th
So far, one of the best of 08! Critics are stupid, and this is just as equally good as " No Country For Old Men ". The Coens have done it again! Just brilliant!
Rated 07 Feb 2010
85
90th
The funniest I have seen in quite a while. Brad Pitt is so hilariously stupid in this and the story is ridiculous - in a very good way!
Rated 02 Mar 2009
78
50th
Ostensibly this is a comedy, but the problem is it's not very funny when Pitt, Simmons, and Malk aren't on screen, and it doesn't do anything else well enough to really make its point. I was surprised that the characters were so one-dimensional, and the storytelling so haphazard at times, because the Coens are usually so adept at making sure these types of things DON'T happen. After a little reflection, I tacked on an additional point as I've come to respect the "shaggy dog" nature of the story.
Rated 27 Jan 2009
65
25th
Chuckle-worthy comedy, nothing great but not offensively horrible either. The gags rely far too much on wacky character quirks and the whole scenario is based on no one being competent at anything. If I thought about it more I'd probably be more annoyed with it, but it was a decent way to kill time for 90 minutes.
Rated 12 Sep 2008
95
92nd
A true breath of fresh air. B.A.R is inventive in so many ways and it never fails to connect. John Malkovich is one crazy man.
Rated 25 Dec 2008
72
50th
I think I need to rewatch this one cause I feel that I missed some important things that would help me understand what was actually going on in this movie. All I know is that Brad Pitt's character was ten out of ten.
Rated 05 Jan 2020
95
96th
I wish Pitt was more of a character actor. He was so good in this.
Rated 24 Mar 2023
45
93rd
I raise my head to the black night sky as a gentle piano riff plays. the yellow star flies overhead, leaving a multicolored comet trail, but hark! the expected gradient block letters generated in Microsoft WordArt are missing. we didn't learn a goddamn thing
Rated 13 Jul 2009
76
53rd
This movie has you going "huh?" quite a few times. Brad as an airhead was surprisingly entertaining
Rated 01 Sep 2009
70
81st
3.
Rated 09 Mar 2011
80
52nd
Lušn film, zabavna zgodba, zlo fajn za sprostitev malo kljub temu, da ni nekega jakega pointa.

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