The eternalized scene from Fargo [you know the one with the tree shredder] is the perfect image to describe the Coen brothers’ latest dive into cinema; completely shocking, disgusting and hilarious.

Burn After Reading is a surprise enjoyment for me. I have to admit, I am slightly pretentious when it comes to celebrities. The hype building for this movie annoyed me. I prefer for a film to be respected for the directors, writing, cinematography and acting ability. Not how totally awesome the multi-million dollar leading man’s hair looks...oh my gosh and have you heard who he’s dating now? I felt cheated that TIFF premiered the film, causing chaos in the downtown core. The only name I heard for the first two days of the festival was Brad [not even Brad Pitt, as 

if you chat over morning coffee in his local Starbucks about how glowing Angelina looks in her latest pregnancy]. During the entire ten days, I cannot recall hearing the names Joel or Ethan. Not even Tilda, or Francis, or John. And heaven forbid Mr. Pitt should stay in town long enough to acknowledge his second screening. Fly in, jet out. 

But I digress. 

The Coen brothers lived up to the hype entirely. There was a perfect balanced between intrigue, comedic timing and gore. The perfect essence of a Coens’ film is the deliverance of hilarious content in a deadpan, serious tone. Each actor is uncanny in the classic comic Coen execution.

I don’t want to ruin anything for the unsuspecting audience. This is a film that needs to be enjoyed from start to finish without being spoiled. But the obvious Coen connections can be assumed by the intelligent film viewer. Of course, people will die. In a closet with a gun by a man just getting out of the shower. Or by a hatchet in the middle of a street in broad daylight. Bizarre. Beautiful. 

Although I regretfully have no faith in “Brad” as an actor, he happily surprised me in this comedic role, and of course, everyone else in the film is brilliant. Especially an amazing mini-role performance from J.K. Simmons as random C.I.A. head. 

I may have been one of the only two people in the theatre laughing out loud [the other person being my cousin], but it wasn’t for lack of intelligent humour. I think I simply have no shame in public. 

Go see this film.