I was betrothed to the Coen brothers at an early age. But while others feel betrayed by them and as of late are screaming for a divorce, I must say I still enjoy our relationship. I should be honest, we have an open marriage...I see other films, um I see a LOT of other films...and I think that's why I still cherish the Coens. When I'm alone with the Coen brothers they still treat me with respect and intelligence.
After watching this movie, scanning the DVD extras was a bit telling. First the Coens basically say they wrote this film for someone else..."take my wife, please" but it sort of boomeranged back to them. For them, and many of us Coen-dependents out there, this script calling for marquee matinée idols at the center pushed their patented oddball characters out to the fringes.
Secondly, on the DVD, there was a segment on the dresses designed for and worn by Catherine Zeta-Jones. Something didn't wash with Ethan and Joel bedecked in (possibly clean) tshirts and jeans trying to pump the importance of the audience waiting for the next costume change. I don't know, I felt like a little Robin Leach was clinging to their backs while they were making those comments.
Thus we wind up with both pretty smiles and prettier outfits pushing our beloved eccentrics further out of the center of the spotlight, and that's why I think people are unhappy with this film. I mean, Jeezy Peezy, a character named Wheezy Joe gets canonized in these reviews, but come on...we'd like anyone named Wheezy So-and-So. Maybe the Zeets should have demanded her character be called Wheezy Marilyn.
If only. Her character is so defined by cold calculation, that I think it undermines the chemistry between herself and Clooney. I also think that keeps this from being one of those true screwball romantic comedies. Where's the scene where she puts her hair up in curlers and let's down her guard...spills a little mirth on her expensive dress?? She insures that we are never laughing at her, by never letting us laugh when she's on screen.
Perhaps the Coens wanted to keep her assured and desirable, and then let Clooney got looney for her. The "You fascinate me" scene I think will fall flat for some folks, though for its quirkiness I liked it. But it was another instance wherein I felt like he was doing all the work in their relationship, and in this film.
But back to the weirdos for a moment, Billy Bob's initial cameo forced me to stop and rewind the scene (when he first meets Clooney's Miles Massey). Very funny, more ramble-on humor in films please. And less toilet plungers. For over the top, Jonathan Hadary's Heinz poured it on pretty thick. But again, I lapped it up, being so hungry for the peculiar.
All that being said, this surely isn't a mainstream movie. I enjoyed it, and trust me tales of the rich and fatuous usually have a strike against them for me. This story of a gold-digger on the silver-screen, garners at least a bronze from me.
7/10
PS If you are still pining away for the infatuation phase of your own relationship with the Coens, I'd strongly advise you to track down Ethan's book-on-tape, "Gates of Eden." For crying out loud it's got Steve Buscemi reading one of the hardboiled, well-oiled tales. Need I say more?!?
After watching this movie, scanning the DVD extras was a bit telling. First the Coens basically say they wrote this film for someone else..."take my wife, please" but it sort of boomeranged back to them. For them, and many of us Coen-dependents out there, this script calling for marquee matinée idols at the center pushed their patented oddball characters out to the fringes.
Secondly, on the DVD, there was a segment on the dresses designed for and worn by Catherine Zeta-Jones. Something didn't wash with Ethan and Joel bedecked in (possibly clean) tshirts and jeans trying to pump the importance of the audience waiting for the next costume change. I don't know, I felt like a little Robin Leach was clinging to their backs while they were making those comments.
Thus we wind up with both pretty smiles and prettier outfits pushing our beloved eccentrics further out of the center of the spotlight, and that's why I think people are unhappy with this film. I mean, Jeezy Peezy, a character named Wheezy Joe gets canonized in these reviews, but come on...we'd like anyone named Wheezy So-and-So. Maybe the Zeets should have demanded her character be called Wheezy Marilyn.
If only. Her character is so defined by cold calculation, that I think it undermines the chemistry between herself and Clooney. I also think that keeps this from being one of those true screwball romantic comedies. Where's the scene where she puts her hair up in curlers and let's down her guard...spills a little mirth on her expensive dress?? She insures that we are never laughing at her, by never letting us laugh when she's on screen.
Perhaps the Coens wanted to keep her assured and desirable, and then let Clooney got looney for her. The "You fascinate me" scene I think will fall flat for some folks, though for its quirkiness I liked it. But it was another instance wherein I felt like he was doing all the work in their relationship, and in this film.
But back to the weirdos for a moment, Billy Bob's initial cameo forced me to stop and rewind the scene (when he first meets Clooney's Miles Massey). Very funny, more ramble-on humor in films please. And less toilet plungers. For over the top, Jonathan Hadary's Heinz poured it on pretty thick. But again, I lapped it up, being so hungry for the peculiar.
All that being said, this surely isn't a mainstream movie. I enjoyed it, and trust me tales of the rich and fatuous usually have a strike against them for me. This story of a gold-digger on the silver-screen, garners at least a bronze from me.
7/10
PS If you are still pining away for the infatuation phase of your own relationship with the Coens, I'd strongly advise you to track down Ethan's book-on-tape, "Gates of Eden." For crying out loud it's got Steve Buscemi reading one of the hardboiled, well-oiled tales. Need I say more?!?