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Burn After Reading

R Released Sep 12, 2008 1h 35m Comedy Drama Mystery & Thriller List
78% Tomatometer 248 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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Burn After Reading

Burn After Reading

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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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Critics Reviews

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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 Full Review Nell Minow Movie Mom Rated: B Feb 18, 2012 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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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 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Colby B Wow the third act took an unexpected turn. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 07/16/24 Full Review Read all reviews
Burn After Reading

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Cast & Crew

Burn After Reading

Burn After Reading: Official Clip - Baby Crow's Feet Burn After Reading: Official Clip - Baby Crow's Feet 2:07 Burn After Reading: Official Clip - A League of Morons Burn After Reading: Official Clip - A League of Morons 3:15 Burn After Reading: Official Clip - Raw Intelligence Burn After Reading: Official Clip - Raw Intelligence 1:36 Burn After Reading: Official Clip - Cocktails and Goat Cheese Burn After Reading: Official Clip - Cocktails and Goat Cheese 1:39 Burn After Reading: Official Clip - Appearances Can Be Deceptive Burn After Reading: Official Clip - Appearances Can Be Deceptive 2:13 Burn After Reading: Official Clip - Tuchman Marsh Burn After Reading: Official Clip - Tuchman Marsh 2:32 Burn After Reading: Official Clip - Caught and Shot Burn After Reading: Official Clip - Caught and Shot 2:11 Burn After Reading: Official Clip - Osbourne Is Out Burn After Reading: Official Clip - Osbourne Is Out 2:06 Burn After Reading: Official Clip - I Got His Number Burn After Reading: Official Clip - I Got His Number 1:54 Burn After Reading: Official Clip - Harry and Linda's Blind Date Burn After Reading: Official Clip - Harry and Linda's Blind Date 2:05 View more videos
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Movie Info

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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