George Clooney for the ladies, Catherine Zeta Jones for the boys... (Intolerable Cruelty (DVD))

Member Name: gillyman

Product:	Intolerable Cruelty (DVD)
Date:	19/11/03 (48 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Lots of fun, Coen brothers, Madcap characters

Disadvantages: cheesy

Its not a fashionable thing to say, not particularly politically correct either and I'm sure that I will go down in a lot of peoples' estimations by admitting to it. BUT - I have not seen every Coen brothers' film. I cannot quote large tracts of The Big Lebowski. I'm not even altogether sure that I could list all their films (thank goodness for imdb.com) - there I've said it - its out there and I'm just going to have to deal with the shame like a grown up!

Let's qualify my need for confession. In certain circles, especially those of people who are in the know about film (nb - not "films" but the abstract "film"), the Coen Brothers are revered - even deified. From what I have seen of their output, they deserve high praise but the horrified reaction, when I admit to not having got round to seeing Fargo, or that I don't think The Dude is the greatest screen character ever is akin to admitting to peeing in the font at Church. I have enjoyed those of their films that I have seen but I don't see the release of a new film as essential viewing. I feel it important to stress this before I delve further into my review. Those of you expecting a conclusion littered with comparisons to other Coen brothers films are not going to find it here. If you are a mere newcomer to, or a mere dabbler in the weird world of the Coens then this review is aimed at you.

Those of you who are interested in the deeper aspects of plot, character development and commentary on the state of America in the 21st century will not be bothered by the fact that the leads in Intolerable Cruelty are George Clooney and Catherine Zeta Jones. Those mere mortals amongst us will be licking their lips at the prospect! In a bizarre twist, I have never been enamoured by the charms of Ms Zeta Jones whilst the young lady who accompanied me claimed indifference to Mr. Clooney's boyish good looks whilst waxing lyrical about how beautiful she fe
lt the female lead to be. I quickly came round to her point of view as she is stunning throughout, her wardrobe being well chosen to showcase her beauty.

*****So what's it all about? (Containing nothing that will spoil the movie for you)*****

Miles Massey (Clooney) is a fast talking divorce lawyer with a line in spin that would impress Tony Blair. His credentials are laid out early on when a wife who stabbed her husband after he caught her and the pool boy with their pants down is established as the victim of the piece in an amusing mockery of the "Blame someone else" American legal system.

Marilyn Rexroth (Zeta Jones) is a beautiful woman looking to gain financial independence. She moves amongst a scheming group of women who consider it completely morally acceptable to seek such independence by marrying a rich man and then finding some precept for divorce in order to get their hands on half of his estate.

Massey is smitten by Marilyn when he is representing her agrieved husband in divorce proceedings and proceeds to pursue her upon her becoming a free agent and then through a subsequent marriage and divorce which are seemingly based on the same sort of relationship.

The Coen brothers introduce a whole supporting cast of eccentric characters, with various quirks, most memorable amongst them being Wheezy Joe the asthmatic hit man and Heinz, the Baron Krauss von Espy, the exceedingly, exceedingly camp concierge who can get his guests anything, including an exceedingly wealthy husband.

Intolerable Cruelty is first and foremost a fun film. The Coen brothers poke fun at many different targets in a manner that is far from subtle but good for a laugh. Unlikely story lines and plot twists coupled with over the top, totally goofy characters left me with a big smile on my face. There is some cliched kitsch, particularly when the cynical Massey lectures a divorce lawyers convention on the true beauty of being
in love and is greeted by very cheesy applause but it doesn't spoil what for me was an enjoyeable movie. Whether or not its as good as the Coens' other stuff - I'll leave you to decide.

Summary: