comment #1

Pablo Villaça says ...

That's why I think Steve Farell's work in "The Office" is nothing short than magnificent: his Michael Scott is a genuinely dumb guy and Farell is extremely convincing in the part -- but his ability in avoiding caricature and transforming Michael in a complex individual also reveals how intelligent the actor really is.

comment #2

Pablo Villaça says ...

Carell, not Farell, obviously.

comment #3

bmcintire says ...

I am at a loss as to why you are constantly backhanding this movie (and now, apparently, either Clooney's intelligence level or acting talent). Did you hate the script? Then just say so, because this critique of the stills is ridiculous. And given the relationship between Clooney's and Swinton's characters in this things, my guess is that the coital aspect of this particular romp did not go well at all, thus the zombified "post."

comment #4

Mark says ...

Carrell is quite good, but it's not like he came up with that character and style out of thin air. Gervais pretty much knocked the same character out of the park years earlier.

The secret seems to be not making the character an overall moron, but rather just an educated guy that lacks awareness. That appears to be Clooney's model at least in his two previous idiot roles for the Coens.

comment #5

lazespud says ...

Jeez Jeff. You dump on them--hound them really--to release other images from the movie, and then you crap all over the images when they are obligingly releases.

I, for one, loved Clooney as a dumb guy in O Brother. I rather doubt that a dumb guy of that broad proportions would work in a more modern context... but then again I'm only going off a couple of photos.

Brad Pitt's hair worries me much more...

comment #6

Mr. Gittes says ...

Pitt is poised to have a big year. Jeff, you've read the Burn After Reading script, Pitt steals the show; he's absolutely hilarious, in my mind anyway.

And, of course, Benjamin Button will be huge.

comment #7

actionman says ...

I love Pitt's hair in this still...

This feels like a wacky movie; I bet it'll be similar to Big Lebowski. And I have a feeling that as with Lebowski, the film will probably be misunderstood upon its initial release. Haven't read the script so don't know anything concrete, just making this guess based on what I've read about the film and the plot/story.

It seems like the Coen's enjoy following up some of their darker efforts (Fargo, NCFOM) with quirkier fare.

comment #8

dangovich says ...

I had a Johnny Suede flashback when I saw that picture of Brad Pitt.

comment #9

Pablo Villaça says ...

Mark, regarding Rick Gervais approach of the similar role in the original UK series, I think it was a great work, although I confess Carell's my favorite. The thing is Gervais portrayed the "boss" as clueless as Carell's version, but his character was also an asshole, while Michael Scott is a much gentler and kind soul.

I love Gervais in "Extras", though.

comment #10

MilkMan says ...

It looks like the Coen's recently learned how to do the Cha-Cha.

And I think that is a genuine look of bewilderment on Clooney's face. He can't remember the last time he was in bed with a woman. Now had they placed Richard Kind in the bed with him, well, he might have look more relaxed and satiated.

Johnny Suede sucked. Tom DeCillo is an assbag. That movie was all about The Hair, and consequently, so is Tom DeCillo.

Sorry. I'm on a diet. Week two.

comment #11

BlueRaymondBabbit says ...

If only they'd hired Kal Penn for the Clooney role, things would be peachy.

comment #12

erniesouchak says ...

Disagree. Josh Hartnett is a dumbass and has played dumbasses pretty well.

comment #13

nemo says ...

Isn't that Tilda Swinton in bed next to Clooney? I'd call that the "what the hell have I done" look that anyone would have on his face after waking up in bed next to Tilda Swinton.

comment #14

rock powers says ...

steve carell said in an interview on the OFFICE dvd that he never watched ricky gervais play the character because he didn't want to be influenced by it. believe it or not.

comment #15

Tom Logan says ...

I've read the script for "Burn after Reading"and it got no reaction from me.A couple of times a smile crept on my face but most of the characters just don't have any endearing qualities at all and the story just didn't draw me in.I'm sure the film will be okay but we're talking "Intolerable cruelty" quality.
However the script for their next film "A Serious man" is classic coen gold.Just funny as hell and cleverly written.

comment #16

Edward says ...

I've also been turned on by Tilda Swinton. She was surprisingly sexy in The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe.

comment #17

Edward says ...

I meant to say always, not also, been a long day. Better have another glass of wine. Screw proofreading!

comment #18

Major Calloway says ...

Consider George Clooney's ceiling stare....Only dumb buys look like George Romero zombies during post-coital meditation

I probably do. Glad you're a blogger, and not an actor I will ever have to work with. Your comments here make me doubt your understanding and/or empathy with the process. I am amazed you would be so quick to judge based on this evidence.

The secret seems to be not making the character an overall moron, but rather just an educated guy that lacks awareness...

No, I would say the secret is in immersing yourself in a character that you find some way to relate to in a meaningful way. The material should do the rest. (And if it doesn't work, then you should pick your roles more carefully.)

comment #19

Major Calloway says ...

I believe it's very hard to play a dumb-ass as if you really are one, instead of just appearing to be pretending.

As I was saying....

comment #20

DavidF says ...

C'mon, Jeff. There are two people in that still and yet no criticism of the horrible performance therein by Oscar winner Tilda Swinton?

I mean, she's lying down but you can totally tell she's "playing tired" and not really preparing to go to sleep or even to, say, read a magazine first.

The way her fingers are tented juuuust so seems very stagey to me and not all something placing her character in the moment with Clooney's.

Even the postiion of her nose in the frame, as juxtaposed with Clooney's beard, is giving me a vibe that says Jack Palance must have mistakenly read her name when that Oscar was really supposed to go to Marissa Tomei.

I think we can agree that based upon these stills there is nothing more to say about this movie. Ever.

Burn After Reading? Burn before watching, I say.

comment #21

Krazy Eyes says ...

Any sex scenes between Clooney and Swinton in "Burn After Reading" is bound to be disappointing after the fucking he gave her in Michael Clayton.

comment #22

dgaughan says ...

So, you're making a call on a movie based on a still photo?

Sometimes I wish I could only read your more well thought out column work, Jeff. Reading your day to day thoughts disheartens me more every day.

comment #23

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