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Frances McDormand as Linda Litzke

Obviously, it's not a work of theological and philosophical questioning and taut storytelling like No Country for Old Men—although it must be said that the Coens unfold their narrative masterfully, and get the best out of their actors even in a silly farce like this. No, this is a pair of talented filmmakers cutting up and having some fun, indulging in some truly inspired silliness and bringing some fantastic actors along for the ride. It's a strange, very funny, and oddly suspenseful movie, with plenty of big laughs (be it Clooney's nervous twitch, Pitt's enthusiastic dancing, or the typically sharp Coen dialogue) that ultimately escalated into some surprising and ingenious plot developments (some of which are jarringly violent—in the film's final third, the Coens get back in touch with part of their Fargo muse).

But is there really nothing to learn? Is it just the Coens indulging in the goodwill afforded by their own celebrity? Actually, there is some wisdom to be gleaned, albeit very dark. Many have accused the Coens of being misanthropes, and that criticism will surely be thrown at them again here, but this is, in some ways, to miss the point. Yes, humanity is portrayed as being self-centered and corrupt, not to mention totally dimwitted, but that would certainly track with the biblical teaching that none are righteous, that the human heart is a factory of idols, that apart from Christ we are foolish and silly creatures? One could argue that the Coens are just being honest about the nature of man—and the wages of sin, as almost all of these characters are undone by their own folly. But even if that's too much to swallow, there's no denying that it's a deliriously funny and delightful comedy for grown-ups, another exceptional movie from a creative team that seems boundlessly skilled and imaginative no matter what genre they're working in.

Talk About It

1. What motivates each of these characters to act the way they do? Do any of them have honorable motives? Can we learn anything from characters who behave poorly, who don't have honorable motives?
2. Do any of the characters seem to learn anything? Do any of them change?
3. What attitude toward humanity does the movie seem to take? Is it a fair viewpoint?

The Family Corner

Burn After Reading is rated R for pervasive language, sexual content and violence. The language includes many four-letter words, as well as a few instances of the Lord's name being misused. There are frank depictions of adulterous relationships, including some folks seen in bed together, although no explicit nudity or action is seen. There is a visual gag involving an artificial replica of male genitals, and a couple of moments of brief but jarring and bloody violence.

Photos © Copyright Focus Features

© Josh Hurst subject to licensing agreement with Christianity Today International. All rights reserved. Click for reprint information.

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