Burn After Reading (2008)

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Written by Joel Coen, Ethan Coen

Directed by Ethan Coen, Joel Coen

Running Time: 120 minutes (approx)

Production Year: 2008

Rating: 15 Certificate

Production Country: USA/UK/France

Filmed in Colour

When dopey gym employees Chad Feldheimer (Brad Pitt) and Linda Litzke (Frances McDormand) find a computer disc that they believe contains top-secret material, they decide to blackmail its owner, ex-CIA analyst Osborne Cox (John Malkovich). As negotiations between both parties descend into chaos, Linda starts dating womanising Treasury agent Harry Pfarrer (George Clooney), who has also been having an affair with Cox's wife Katie (Tilda Swinton).

Drawn into Linda's ill-advised plot, Harry soon realises he's way out of his depth as the novice blackmailers' greed leads to a series of very unfortunate events.

A complete U-turn following the brooding tone the Coen's multi Oscar-winning triumph No Country For Old Men, this farcical comedy of errors gives the choice cast the chance to cut loose with some wild and woolly characterisations. Pitt is particularly memorable playing against type as the fey, childlike Chad, with Clooney displaying his considerable talent for portraying conceited, self-involved clowns. While the cast is stuffed with stars, it's underrated character actor J.K. Simmons - best known as J Jonah Jameson in the Spider-Man series - who ties the film together, playing the baffled CIA director vainly attempting to make sense of the mayhem Chad and Linda have unleashed.

When is Burn After Reading next on TV?

In the UK... it's next showing on Sky Movies Indie November 29th, 12:30pm and on Sky Movies Indie HD November 29th, 12:30pm. See more...

Cast

Image for George ClooneyGeorge ClooneyHarry Pfarrer
Image for Frances McDormandFrances McDormandLinda Litzke
Image for John MalkovichJohn MalkovichOsbourne Cox
Image for Tilda SwintonTilda SwintonKatie Cox
Image for Brad PittBrad PittChad Feldheimer
Richard JenkinsTed Treffon
Elizabeth MarvelSandy Pfarrer
David RascheCIA Officer
J.K. SimmonsCIA Superior
Olek KrupaKrapotkin
Michael CountrymanAlan
Kevin SussmanDivorce Lawyer
J.R. HorneDivorce Lawyer
Hamilton ClancyPeck
Armand SchultzOlson

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