Movie: Intolerable Cruelty
Directed by Joel Coen; Written by Joel and Ethan Coen
Starring George Clooney, Catherine Zeta-Jones (Touchstone Universal)
Reviewed by Rusty Pipes

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Anyone for another round of Battle Of The Sexes? How about if it's Coen Brother style?

Intolerable Cruelty is not as surreal and quirky as many of the Coen flicks, in fact Intolerable Cruelty is probably about as mainstream as they are likely to get. But they haven't sold out at all, Intolerable Cruelty is an entirely enjoyable picture. It all harkens back to the Preston Sturges directed screwball comedies where the plot is fast moving, full of chicanery and hi-jinks, but at the end its all brought in for a perfectly sentimental landing.

I never tire of watching Catherine Zeta-Jones, who has never looked better and obviously relishes her role as Marilyn Rexroth, a ravishing beauty who marries for money. The camera loves her, every man in the audience loves her, but it's George Clooney as high powered divorce lawyer Miles Massey who gives a great performance here. His transition from self-absorbed manipulator to a simpering lovesick fool is priceless. I'd say even Oscar worthy, but we all know that the Academy hates comedy.

The Skinny:
Am I glad I saw the film? Counsel advises me to plead guilty as charged.
Would I go to see it again? I have no objections your honor.

© 2003 - Rusty Pipes