Burn After Reading
- Release Date
- September 5, 2008
- Director
- Ethan Coen , Joel Coen
- Cast
- George Clooney , Frances McDormand , Brad Pitt , John Malkovich , Tilda Swinton , Richard Jenkins
- Runtime
- 96
- Main Genre
- Comedy
- Writers
- Joel Coen , Ethan Coen
- Tagline
- Intelligence is relative.
- Website
- http://www.burnafterreading.com/
Summary
Burn After Reading, a comedy thriller from Joel Coen and Ethan Coen (No Country for Old Men, Fargo, The Big Lebowski), is world-premiering as the opening-night film of the 2008 Venice International Film Festival. At the headquarters of the Central Intelligence Agency in Arlington, Va., analyst Osborne Cox (John Malkovich) arrives for a top-secret meeting. Unfortunately for Cox, the secret is soon out: he is being ousted. Cox does not take the news particularly well and returns to his Georgetown home to work on his memoirs and his drinking, not necessarily in that order. His wife Katie (Tilda Swinton) is dismayed, though not particularly surprised; she is already well into an illicit affair with Harry Pfarrer (George Clooney), a married federal marshal, and sets about making plans to leave Cox for Harry. Elsewhere in the Washington, D.C. suburbs, and seemingly worlds apart, Hardbodies Fitness Centers employee Linda Litzke (Frances McDormand) can barely concentrate on her work. She is consumed with her life plan for extensive cosmetic surgery, and confides her mission to can-do colleague Chad Feldheimer (Brad Pitt). Linda is all but oblivious to the fact that the gym's manager Ted Treffon (Richard Jenkins) pines for her even as she arranges dates via the Internet with other men. When a computer disc containing material for the CIA analyst's memoirs accidentally falls into the hands of Linda and Chad, the duo are intent on exploiting their find. As Ted frets, "No good can come of this," events spiral out of everyone's and anyone's control, in a cascading series of darkly hilarious encounters.
latest
Why Burn After Reading Is the Most Underrated Coen Brothers Movie
The Coen Brothers have many hits in their filmography. Arguably the most underrated is Burn After Reading. Here's why.
These Are the Best Films Shot by Cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki
Emmanuel Lubezki has had one of the most prolific visions in cinematography for the past three decades. Let's take a look at his best films.
These Are 10 Most Unexpected Movie Death Scenes That Shocked Us
Throughout the years, we have lost several memorable characters. Let's take a look at the 10 most unexpected deaths that shocked audiences.
Hail, Caesar! Trailer #2 Reunites Clooney & the Coen Brothers
The Coen brothers are back with their new all-star comedy Hail, Caesar!, in theaters this February.
Coen Brothers' Hail Caesar Trailer Starring George Clooney
Josh Brolin stars as Eddie Mannix, a fixer working for a Hollywood studio in the 1950s who tries to track down a huge star in Hail, Caesar.
First Look at George Clooney on the Hail Caesar Set
The first images of George Clooney on the Hail Caesar set have arrived, marking his fourth film with The Coen Brothers.
Josh Brolin Reunites with the Coen Brothers for Hail Caesar
Joel Coen and Ethan Coen will direct the 1950s-set comedy Hail Caesar! about a Hollywood fixer who keeps the stars in line, starring Josh Brolin and George Clooney.
Mary-Louise Parker Talks Red 2 [Exclusive]
How are audiences relating to Sarah in this action sequel? Find out more before the Blu-ray and DVD debut November 26th.
The American Blu-ray and DVD Checks in on December 28th
George Clooney and Thekla Reuten star in this international espionage tale of suspense and intrigue from director Anton Corbijn.
Kodi Smit-McPhee, Chloe Moretz and Richard Jenkins Will Let Me In
The principal cast for Matt Reeves' Let the Right One In remake gets filled out.
2009 Gotham Awards Announce Career Tributes
Director Kathryn Bigelow and actors Natalie Portman and Stanley Tucci are among the honorees.
The Dark Knight Is Nominated for a WGA Award
The latest Batman film continues its march towards the Oscars with another nomination for best screenplay.
Universal Pictures Surpasses Its All-Time Box-Office Performance in 2008
Studio Beats 2007 Record With $2.834 Billion Worldwide.
BEST of 2008: A Look Back at This Year's Film Highlights!
We acknowledge the moments that made this year's Box Office worth visiting!
BOOS! and WHOOP-DOOS!: The End of Year Movie Blow Out 2008!
We look at all of the movies that made us Boo! and Whoop-doo! This past year.
66th Annual Golden Globe Nominations
Take a look at what films, TV series' and performances were nominated.
Slumdog Millionaire Named Best Picture by the National Board of Review
Take a look at the full list of winners from the first major awards of the season.
Burn After Reading Brings the Heat to DVD and Blu-ray on December 23rd
We have some early details on the latest film from the Coen Brothers in both formats.
BOX OFFICE BEAT DOWN: Eagle Eye Soars to the Top with $29.2 Million
Nights in Rodanthe weeps its way into second place with $13.5 million.
BOX OFFICE BEAT DOWN: Lakeview Terrace Arrests the Top Spot with $15.6 Million
Burn After Reading still burning with a second place take of $11.2 million.