Burn After Reading

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Burn After Reading

R

Released Sep 12, 2008

1h 35m

Comedy

Drama

Mystery & Thriller

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Popcornmeter

78%

Tomatometer

245 Reviews

65%

Popcornmeter

100,000+ Ratings

When a disc containing memoirs of a former CIA analyst (John Malkovich) falls into the hands of Linda Litzke (Frances McDormand) and Chad Feldheimer (Brad Pitt), the two gym employees see a chance to make enough money for her to have life-changing cosmetic surgery. Predictably, events whirl out of control for the duo doofuses and those in their orbit.

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Critics Consensus

With Burn After Reading, the Coen Brothers have crafted another clever comedy/thriller with an outlandish plot and memorable characters.

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Shubhra Gupta

The Indian Express

Burn After Reading is a comedy that makes fun of almost everything, reminding you that almost none of it is laughing matter.

Apr 29, 2019

Full Review

Deborah Ross

The Spectator

Although there are a couple of vaguely amusing moments, it fails as a comedy because it just isn't funny, and it fails as a thriller because it just isn't suspenseful and it fails as entertainment of any kind because it is all so ludicrously improbable.

Aug 23, 2018

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Nell Minow

Movie Mom

Rated: B

Feb 18, 2012

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Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

In setting up a spy thriller that, given the idiocy of its characters, just-so-happens to proceed like a comedy, the Coens’ best humorist qualities emerge after years of slumber, now well-rested and ready to play.

Rated: 3.5/4

Sep 5, 2023

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James Croot

Stuff.co.nz

The Coen Brothers [return] to their comedic-crime roots... with engaging and ebullient results.

Rated: 4/5

Apr 28, 2021

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Richard Crouse

Richard Crouse

I know I am about to commit film critic heresy, but I found the film's overly clever story left me cold.

Rated: 2.5/5

Jan 31, 2021

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Andrew M

The best expression of a midlife crisis I have ever seen compressed into a fast paced film.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/11/24

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Yens W

Again a wonderful movie from the Coen brothers.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/02/24

Full Review

Davy V

Fails as a comedy, fails as a thriller, fails as a drama and has one of the most horrible endings I have ever seen. The characters with the most horrible personalities are the only ones who end up with what they wanted. The moral of the story is, be a horrible idiot, and you will be rewarded...

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

09/07/24

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Sams K

Not the worst I have seen, but neither a good one. Don't know what to think about this one.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

08/27/24

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Trent R

Surprised to see so many top actors. It was interesting to see everyone portraying characters so very different from what their more recent movie roles have been. I thought it was very entertaining!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

08/25/24

Full Review

Richard k

Say something good or don’t say anything! That’s what I’d like to do here. The filming around DC is excellent. The idea is good. The acting is good.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

08/05/24

Full Review

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Joel Coen

Director

Ethan Coen

Director

George Clooney

Harry Pfarrer

Frances McDormand

Linda Litzke

John Malkovich

Osborne Cox

Tilda Swinton

Katie Cox

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Burn After Reading: Official Clip - Baby Crow's Feet

2:07

Burn After Reading: Official Clip - A League of Morons

3:15

Burn After Reading: Official Clip - Raw Intelligence

1:36

Burn After Reading: Official Clip - Cocktails and Goat Cheese

1:39

Burn After Reading: Official Clip - Appearances Can Be Deceptive

2:13

Burn After Reading: Official Clip - Tuchman Marsh

2:32

Burn After Reading: Official Clip - Caught and Shot

2:11

Burn After Reading: Official Clip - Osbourne Is Out

2:06

Burn After Reading: Official Clip - I Got His Number

1:54

Burn After Reading: Official Clip - Harry and Linda's Blind Date

2:05

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Synopsis

When a disc containing memoirs of a former CIA analyst (John Malkovich) falls into the hands of Linda Litzke (Frances McDormand) and Chad Feldheimer (Brad Pitt), the two gym employees see a chance to make enough money for her to have life-changing cosmetic surgery. Predictably, events whirl out of control for the duo doofuses and those in their orbit.

Director: Joel Coen, Ethan Coen
Producer: Joel Coen, Ethan Coen
Screenwriter: Joel Coen, Ethan Coen
Distributor: Focus Features
Production Co: Working Title Films
Rating: R (Some Sexual Content|Pervasive Language|Violence)
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 12, 2008, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 1, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $60.3M
Runtime: 1h 35m

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