Intolerable Cruelty

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Intolerable Cruelty

PG-13

Released Oct 10, 2003

1h 40m

Romance

Comedy

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Popcornmeter

76%

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188 Reviews

48%

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50,000+ Ratings

Miles Massey (George Clooney) is an exceptional divorce lawyer who specializes in saving cheating husbands from having to pay expensive settlements. Unchallenged, he wearies of his life -- until he meets the cunning Marylin Rexroth (Catherine Zeta-Jones). When Massey's representation of her husband in court denies her any divorce compensation, Marylin vows to get revenge, enlisting the help of an oil baron (Billy Bob Thornton), and the two vie for the advantage in a flirtatious duel of wits.

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Critics Consensus

Though more mainstream than other Coen films, there are still funny oddball touches, and Clooney and Zeta-Jones sizzle like old-time movie stars.

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Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

Screwball comedy for older teens and adults.

Rated: 4/5

Dec 24, 2010

Full Review

Richard Corliss

TIME Magazine

Here's an anomaly: a comedy about smart people.

Oct 13, 2009

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Jonathan Rosenbaum

Chicago Reader

The Coens do an efficient job of stamping their signature grotesquerie on sumptuous Beverly Hills and Las Vegas settings and ladling on gallows humor and malice, sometimes with the verve of early Robert Zemeckis.

Nov 7, 2007

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Danielle Solzman

Solzy at the Movies

George Clooney and Catherine Zeta-Jones manage to elevate the Coens' underrated Intolerable Cruelty through their performances and chemistry.

Rated: 3.5/5

Dec 24, 2023

Full Review

Mitchell Beaupre

Paste Magazine

Just when you think you have a handle on how this story is going to unfold, the Coens toss another massive curveball that throws you for a loop yet again.

Rated: 8/10

Sep 29, 2023

Full Review

Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

Whatever Intolerable Cruelty lacks in the Coens' usual visual richness, it is replaced with slick plotting, attractive stars, and riotous humor.

Rated: 3.5/4

Feb 20, 2022

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Faiz D

Cruel entertainment... Clooney and Zeta-Jones sparkle!

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

05/13/25

Full Review

Gnr E

Adult romantic comedy is awesome i recommend it

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/18/24

Full Review

Aender S

It's got its quirky moments but it's by far not as rough around the edges as other films by the Coen brothers. It's like this film has been washed with some kind of fabric softener. Still a decent watch though.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

05/29/24

Full Review

Bill S

Absurdly funny courtroom scenes. Billy Bob Thornton was over the top.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

11/11/23

Full Review

Luke S

The idea of this movie is really good and some moments really made me laugh, but the as a whole... it is a MESS. I can't give it over 50% no matter how much others tell me that it is worth it.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

08/21/23

Full Review

Gareth v

Along with "The Labykillers" which followed this movie, the Coen's managed to make two of their worst movies back to back. The jokes are thin, the characters unlikable, just a really disappointing effort.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

06/19/23

Full Review

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Joel Coen

Director

George Clooney

Miles Massey

Catherine Zeta-Jones

Marylin

Geoffrey Rush

Donovan Donaly

Cedric the Entertainer

Gus Petch

Richard Jenkins

Freddy Bender

Intolerable Cruelty: Official Clip - The Urge to Wedlock

2:54

Intolerable Cruelty: Official Clip - Doyle Eats the Prenup

1:34

Intolerable Cruelty: Official Clip - You Fascinate Me

1:30

Intolerable Cruelty: Official Clip - That Silly Man

2:35

Intolerable Cruelty: Official Clip - Carnivores

1:54

Intolerable Cruelty: Official Clip - It's a Negotiation

2:10

Intolerable Cruelty: Official Clip - The Senior Partner

1:29

Intolerable Cruelty: Official Clip - Wheezy Joe

1:34

Intolerable Cruelty: Official Clip - Love Is Good

2:57

Intolerable Cruelty: Official Clip - The Ass Nailer

1:17

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Synopsis

Miles Massey (George Clooney) is an exceptional divorce lawyer who specializes in saving cheating husbands from having to pay expensive settlements. Unchallenged, he wearies of his life -- until he meets the cunning Marylin Rexroth (Catherine Zeta-Jones). When Massey's representation of her husband in court denies her any divorce compensation, Marylin vows to get revenge, enlisting the help of an oil baron (Billy Bob Thornton), and the two vie for the advantage in a flirtatious duel of wits.

Director: Joel Coen
Producer: Brian Grazer, Ethan Coen
Screenwriter: Robert Ramsey, Matthew Stone, Joel Coen, Ethan Coen, Robert Ramsey, Matthew Stone, John Romano
Distributor: Universal Pictures
Production Co: The KL Line, Imagine Entertainment, Alphaville Films
Rating: PG-13 (Language|Brief Violence|Sexual Content)
Genre: Romance, Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 10, 2003, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jul 22, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $35.1M
Runtime: 1h 40m
Sound Mix: Surround

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