There are times in art where comedy and tragedy intertwine so there is near perfect synthesis. This is a balance that many aspire to, but few artists reach. This principle is especially true with the auteur duo, Joel and Ethan Coen, and their new film, “Burn After Reading.”
“Burn After Reading” is a comedic drama about a grand scheme involving a recent ex-CIA agent, Osborne Cox (John Malkovich) and a CD-ROM of “classified” information found by two bumbling gym employees, Chad Feldheimer (Brad Pitt) and the plastic surgery-obsessed Linda Litzke (Frances McDormand).
Linda and Chad decide to hold the CD-ROM for ransom money. Meanwhile, Osborne is going through his own troubles. His wife, Katie (Tilda Swinton), is cheating on him with the good-natured, philandering state official, Harry Pfarrer (George Clooney).
All of these competing interests and angles devolve into one big mess filled with ironic laughs and surprising gasps all the way.
At first glance, this film appears to be a fluffy, light-hearted comedy like cult Coen brothers classic, “The Big Lebowski.” However, this dramedy is more in line with their highly-revered picture, “Fargo,” that finds hilarity in everyday life, even tragedy.
“Burn After Reading” reinforces the Coen theme of seeing life as one dark, nihilistic joke. This may be philosophically disturbing to some, but does not discount this great work of art. In its own way, it is an impressive film that draws you in.
While bleak at its core, “Burn After Reading” provides a deep character study of those looking for purpose in their lives, and how destructively blind and selfish ambitions can bring their downfall.
Each character, expertly played, shows pathos and humorous quirks that make you laugh and cringe in the same breath, while gasping in the second at the horrible things that happen to them. Sadly, there are times when the comedy and drama should be switched, but for the most part, those are minor and forgivable flaws.
Despite the darkness, it adequately shows how there are consequences for a person’s actions and that even in deathly serious times, there are things that can make you laugh, if only for a moment. All of those moments culminate into one solid piece of cinema, proving that a less prestigious, “smaller” film by the Coens can still be one great mark in a legendary canon.
