OK, how to start this. John Malkovitch plays Osbourne Cox, who works as a CIA analyst, at least until he is told he's being transferred. Being a little prone to anger, he quits. His wife, Katie Cox (Tilda Swinton) is less than impressed with this. Some of their acquaintences, Harry Pfarrer (George Cloony), who is with the Treasury but formerly in the Rangers, and Sandy (Elizabeth Marvel) his wife who writes childrens books come round for dinner. Oswald is less than keen on Harry which is understandable given he's currently having an affair with Katie.
Meanwhile, Linda Litzke (Frances McDormand) is looking into getting a number of cosmetic surgeries to turn her into a new woman. Her co-workers at the gym include the spaced out Chad Feldheimer (Brad Pitt) and manger Ted Treffon (Richard Jenkins).
A few things coincide to set these characters going into a series of comical interminglings causing more and more confusion and comedy. I can't even begin to explain what sorts of things occur – trust me in that its a omical farce of things spiralling out of control.
Malkovitch's performance was good, a person who is rather put upon and getting to the end of his tether. Clooney has constructed a deeply shallow character around himself, and Pitt plays bumbling and brainless to a tee. Linda is someone trying desperately to dig herself out of a hole and Swinton plays cold and haughty perfectly.
This film is comedy from start to end, excellently put together and with a fantastic cast. I can't think of that many things I can say about it as it defies catogirisation. Let me just say that its a very good film that i enjoyed immensely throughout and I would highly recommend you go and see it. You still here?
This is a joy of a film clever funny and full of simply wonderful performances, the cast is full of big names and each one delivers a performance worth their salt.
The story is convoluted and farcical with all the interrelationships making the interactions complex.
John Malkovich as the ex spy Osbourne Cox is great the pompous desk man with a high opinion of himself getting screwed over and demanding justice when he probably doesn't deserve it. Trying to write his memoirs like he's some super spy.
George Clooney as the womanising paranoid exercise obsessed Harry Pfarrer is good, sleazy, and crazy character full of peculiar mannerisms but using his charm to get what he wants.
Tilda Swinton plays Katie Cox, Osbourne's cold strict harsh wife who is having an affair with Harry. She's cold demeaning and seemingly uninterested in her husband and constantly dismissing him and it's a wonderful performance.
Frances McDormand as Linda Litzke the lonely gym worker longing to find a partner trawling the dating sites for one disappointing date after another and thinking surgery is the only answer. Her performance is wonderful and I've always thought she is under appreciated as an actress she gives a wonderfully rich performance in a film of great performances showing the desperation and craziness her pursuit of Mr Right leads her to.
Brad Pitt is great as Chad, the fairly stupid fitness instructor friend of Linda. He is crazy and silly and constantly doing the wrong thing acting like he thinks he should from spy movies.
Richard Jenkins as Ted the Manager of the gym who is smitten with Linda but can't seem to get her to notice him despite all his understated attempts to get her to like him.
The supporting cast is also wonderful J.K. Simmons delivers his trademark performance as a boss in the CIA and David Rasche is good as Cox's ex boss and J.K. Simmons underling.
It is a film of great performances wonderful comedy and some lovely drama. It's hard to describe the film to someone without spoiling and even then because of its farcical nature it just defies description. That being said it is wonderful and will have you chuckling as you leave the cinema. Highly recommended