-
Leave the Wrapping to Us
Sending a gift? Save yourself a little time this Father's Day by taking advantage of gift wrapping for just $3.99. We'll select from our coordinating papers, boxes, and ribbons to make your gift special. Note: Large items might arrive in a reusable cloth gift bag instead of wrapping paper. Learn more
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
From director J.J. Abrams comes the next installment in the Star Trek saga, Star Trek Into Darkness. See it at Cinemark theaters now and pre-order on Blu-ray, 3D Blu-ray, DVD, and the Exclusive Starfleet Phaser Gift Set. Shop Star Trek Into Darkness and more in the Star Trek Store. Learn more |
Special Offers and Product Promotions
Frequently Bought Together
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Product Details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images? |
Special Features
None.
Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
After the dark brilliance of No Country for Old Men, Burn After Reading may seem like a trifle, but few filmmakers elevate the trivial to art quite like Joel and Ethan Coen. Inspired by Stansfield Turner's Burn Before Reading, the comically convoluted plot clicks into gear when the CIA gives analyst Osborne Cox (John Malkovich) the boot. Little does Cox know his wife, Katie (Tilda Swinton, riffing on her Michael Clayton character), is seeing married federal marshal Harry (George Clooney, Swinton's Clayton co-star, playing off his Syriana role). To get back at the Agency, Cox works on his memoirs. Through a twist of fate, fitness club workers Linda (Frances McDormand) and Chad (Brad Pitt in a pompadour that recalls Johnny Suede) find the disc and try to wrangle a "Samaratin tax" out of the surly alcoholic. An avid Internet dater, Linda plans to use the money for plastic surgery, oblivious that her manager, Ted (The Visitor's Richard Jenkins), likes her just the way she is. Though it sounds like a Beltway remake of The Big Lebowski, the Coen entry it most closely resembles, this time the brothers concentrate their energies on the myriad insecurities endemic to the mid-life crisis--with the exception of Chad, who's too dense to share such concerns, leading to the funniest performance of Pitt's career. If Lebowski represented the Coen's unique approach to film noir, Burn sees them putting their irresistibly absurdist stamp on paranoid thrillers from Enemy of the State to The Bourne Identity. --Kathleen C. Fennessy
Stills from Burn After Reading (Click for larger image)
Stills from Burn After Reading (Click for larger image)
 |  |  |
 |  |  |
 |  |  |
Product Description
When a disc filled with some of the CIA's most irrelevant secrets gets in the hands of two determined, but dim-witted, gym exployees, the two are intent on exploiting their find. But since blackmail is a trade better left to the experts, events soon spiral out of everyone's and anyone's control, resulting in a nonstop series of hilarious encounters.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
118 of 130 people found the following review helpful
Format:Blu-ray
I just wanted to point out that every single complaint that the one-star reviews dole out are just icing on the cake as far as me totally loving this movie. The characters had no depth? The plot was too amorphous? THAT WAS THE POINT FOLKS. The characters are examples of typical character flaws that are variations on stupidity. You're supposed to enjoy their lives falling apart. I sure as hell did.
79 of 90 people found the following review helpful
By Daniel Daley
Format:Blu-ray|Amazon Verified Purchase
I am shocked at the amount of negative reviews here. This is a comedic masterpiece. I think the one star ratings are coming from simpletons that have no clue about truly subtle and intelligent humor. THE ABRUPT ENDING WAS PART OF THE POINT!
THE LACK OF A PLOT WAS PART OF THE POINT!
THE POINT OF THE MOVIE WAS HOW TRULY POINTLESS MOST THINGS ARE!
In their brilliance, the coens were MAKING A POINT BY MAKING A MOVIE WITH NO POINT!
This film is true genius and one of the funniest films I have ever seen. Clooney was a perverted mess and Pitt was genius as a mindless but fun good samaritan. If you know anything about comedy, you will love this film.
THE LACK OF A PLOT WAS PART OF THE POINT!
THE POINT OF THE MOVIE WAS HOW TRULY POINTLESS MOST THINGS ARE!
In their brilliance, the coens were MAKING A POINT BY MAKING A MOVIE WITH NO POINT!
This film is true genius and one of the funniest films I have ever seen. Clooney was a perverted mess and Pitt was genius as a mindless but fun good samaritan. If you know anything about comedy, you will love this film.
119 of 146 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
After the true genius of No Country For Old Men, the Coen Brothers come back with a whole new dimension. Burn After Reading is a dark comedy about idiots faced with an intelligent and complex situation. Two Gym instructors Linda Litsky (Frances McDormand) and Chad Feldheimer (Brad Pitt) find a disc containing the memoirs of ex CIA agent Osbourne Cox (John Malkovich). They, being idiots think it's a disc containing top secret information and try to bribe Osbourne for money which would help pay for Linda's cosmetic surgery. Things don't go to plan as Osbourne has bigger things on his mind, his wife Katie (Tilda Swinton) is having an affair with the paranoid Harry Pfarrer (George Clooney).
This film is actually quite intelligent in its own right, the characters seem well defined and are played superbly. The characters were specifically written for the actor playing them and it really shows.
John Malkovich portrays the agent lost of all hope well, you become quite intimidated by both his intelligence and temper.
George Clooney as the paranoid individual who's having more affairs than you can wave a stick at doesn't falter. He's jumpy, but hey who wouldn't be if you were sleeping with three different women. This eratic behaviour becomes a bit tragic and leads to the death of one of the characters in the film.
Brad Pitt as the loveable and wannabe cunning idiot is fantastic, the facial expressions and general stereotypical dexterity of what we would expect a personal trainer to be really works. This becomes especially amusing when he enters into the bribing game with Malkovich and starts to enter into the character of cunning spy. It has to be seen to be believed.
Frances McDormands character is the real shining light of the whole film as she's the catalyst leading up to the films biggest events. She's a middle aged gym instructor paranoid over the look of her body. While trying to get plastic surgery, she's turned down by her insurance company and is the one that convinces Pitts character to bribe Cox. She's a woman on the edge of giving up on life and wants to take one last leap into the chance of a relationship, but is made even more nervous by her own body insecurities.
The Coens once again create a film that is both surreal and believable, the characters are shockingly brilliant. The scenario is a bit over the top but comes together perfectly. There is something that bothered me, however, and that's the fact that every character in the film seemed to be having an affair with someone else. I don't know, maybe that was the whole point that made the film work. For fans of the Coens this is definitely one that sits proudly in their film catalogue next to such greats as No Country For Old Men and The Big Lebowski. I would strongly recommend it to any film fan overall, it's definitely worth it just for the Brad Pitt & Clooney facial expressions. Be warned though as if you're easily offended by swearing, then you might as well take your pad and pen with you to start writing your complaints letter.
This film is actually quite intelligent in its own right, the characters seem well defined and are played superbly. The characters were specifically written for the actor playing them and it really shows.
John Malkovich portrays the agent lost of all hope well, you become quite intimidated by both his intelligence and temper.
George Clooney as the paranoid individual who's having more affairs than you can wave a stick at doesn't falter. He's jumpy, but hey who wouldn't be if you were sleeping with three different women. This eratic behaviour becomes a bit tragic and leads to the death of one of the characters in the film.
Brad Pitt as the loveable and wannabe cunning idiot is fantastic, the facial expressions and general stereotypical dexterity of what we would expect a personal trainer to be really works. This becomes especially amusing when he enters into the bribing game with Malkovich and starts to enter into the character of cunning spy. It has to be seen to be believed.
Frances McDormands character is the real shining light of the whole film as she's the catalyst leading up to the films biggest events. She's a middle aged gym instructor paranoid over the look of her body. While trying to get plastic surgery, she's turned down by her insurance company and is the one that convinces Pitts character to bribe Cox. She's a woman on the edge of giving up on life and wants to take one last leap into the chance of a relationship, but is made even more nervous by her own body insecurities.
The Coens once again create a film that is both surreal and believable, the characters are shockingly brilliant. The scenario is a bit over the top but comes together perfectly. There is something that bothered me, however, and that's the fact that every character in the film seemed to be having an affair with someone else. I don't know, maybe that was the whole point that made the film work. For fans of the Coens this is definitely one that sits proudly in their film catalogue next to such greats as No Country For Old Men and The Big Lebowski. I would strongly recommend it to any film fan overall, it's definitely worth it just for the Brad Pitt & Clooney facial expressions. Be warned though as if you're easily offended by swearing, then you might as well take your pad and pen with you to start writing your complaints letter.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Burn After Reading - Almost as funny as Big Leibowski
This doesn't get as much mention as some of the Coen Brothers' other comedies -- but is very very funny. Read more
Published 1 day ago by Zack's parents
5.0 out of 5 stars
Awesome!!
This is one of the few movies I've ever purchased. It is humorous, right from the start and keeps it up all the way thru.
Published 2 days ago by A. Howell
2.0 out of 5 stars
just seemed pretty lame. was expecting better
Was expecting a better movie given the cast and talent associated with it. The best way I can sum it up is "Lame"
Published 8 days ago by D. Callahan
3.0 out of 5 stars
KInd of blaffling and not points to how shallow people can be
All in the name of cosmetic surgery! Just show that humans are really deranged and that stupid people do exist!!
Published 22 days ago by Sarah Ganly
5.0 out of 5 stars
Paranoia and adultery in D.C.
No one does "mad" like John Malcovich, though Tilda Swinton comes close.
No one does "dumb" like Brad Pitt, though George Clooney comes close. Read more
No one does "dumb" like Brad Pitt, though George Clooney comes close. Read more
Published 24 days ago by KERRI LAIDLAW
3.0 out of 5 stars
CONFUSING AT BEST
So many famous actors and this is the result? I have to say I was a very disappointed in what this movie offered in terms of entertainment...very little. Read more
Published 26 days ago by Lord Rhys
5.0 out of 5 stars
Another Coen Brothers hit
Hilarious dark humor from a knockout cast. Who could ask for more? Brad Pitt is surprising in a comic role.
Published 27 days ago by mary illinois
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Film
I love this film and wanted to own it. It is a great watch and it sits on my shelf for the times I need a good film to watch.
Published 1 month ago by Alexa Joseph
5.0 out of 5 stars
An enjoyable cluster-f*#!"
This movie is a comic masterpiece. The quirky characters are, like The Dude, meant to be observed- not empathized with. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Kathy Myers
3.0 out of 5 stars
A Comedy Written About And For 40-Somethings. Well Done.
I've often thought that if you enjoy really weird movies, the Coen Brothers are hard to beat. In recent memory, I've watched "Fargo" and "No Country For Old Men" and enjoyed them... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Gary Peterson
Look for Similar Items by Category
|
