Burned Before Release Date

Burn After Reading, the new Coen brother's comedy, premiered at the Venice Film Festival to mixed reviews. Todd McCarthy of Variety panned the film.

A seriously talented cast has been asked to act like cartoon characters in this tale of desperation, mutual suspicion and vigorous musical beds, all in the name of laughs that only sporadically ensue.

The interesting thing about the critic's split over the Coen's latest comedy is how similar it is to The Big Lebowski's release. Both films were released on the wings of their most lauded work to date, and both were comedies parodying other genre films. In fact, Todd McCarthy's review of The Big Lebowski contains some similar language.

Disjuncture supplies plenty of amusing cultural frissons, but nothing carrying any meaningful insights or commentary, resulting in a work whose many momentary pleasures almost immediately afterward seem hollow and without resonance.

Not all of the early reviews are negative though. Kirk Honeycutt of The Hollywood Reporter praises the film.

It takes awhile to adjust to the rhythms and subversive humor of [Burn After Reading]… Those who relish this movie might treat it as the second coming of The Big Lebowski; those who don't might wonder at a story in which no character has a level head. Signs look good, though, for a solid North American opening…

I love The Big Lebowski and Burn After Reading's mixed reception signals that while this may not be a huge box office hit, it may be a cult comedy one. Despite the early mixed reviews, I'll be first in line for this one.