Burn After Reading Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A bunch of ridiculously unqualified people try to blackmail a disgruntled ex-CIA agent, and everything goes hilariously wrong, proving that espionage is best left to professionals, or maybe no one at all.

🍿 Burn After Reading: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Osbourne Cox’s Downfall

Osbourne Cox, a disgruntled CIA analyst with a self-admitted drinking problem, is forced to resign from his position. He decides to write a tell-all memoir as an act of revenge. Meanwhile, his wife, Katie, is having an affair with Harry Pfarrer, a married U.S. Marshal. Katie, advised by her lawyer, copies Osbourne’s financial records and his memoir draft onto a CD.

The Gym Employees’ Scheme

A CD containing Osbourne’s files is accidentally left at Hardbodies Fitness Center. Linda Litzke, a gym employee obsessed with getting cosmetic surgery, and Chad Feldheimer, her dim-witted colleague, find the disc and mistakenly believe it contains sensitive government information. They attempt to blackmail Osbourne, hoping to get money for Linda’s surgeries. When Osbourne refuses, they seek to sell the information to the Russian embassy.

Entanglement and Escalation

As the situation escalates, Harry Pfarrer becomes entangled in the web of deceit. He’s not only having an affair with Katie but also with Linda, unbeknownst to the others. Chad, attempting to retrieve more data from the Cox residence, is discovered by Harry, who, in a moment of paranoia, fatally shoots him. This sets off a chain of increasingly absurd and violent events.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Chad Feldheimer (Brad Pitt): A dim-witted and hyperactive gym trainer who gets caught up in a blackmail scheme after finding a mysterious CD.
• Linda Litzke (Frances McDormand): A gym employee obsessed with cosmetic surgery who sees the found CD as a way to fund her transformation.
• Osborne Cox (John Malkovich): A disgruntled ex-CIA analyst whose personal memoirs on a CD spark a series of chaotic events.
• Harry Pfarrer (George Clooney): A womanizing U.S. Marshal who is having affairs with both Katie Cox and Linda Litzke, leading to unforeseen consequences.
• Katie Cox (Tilda Swinton): The icy and adulterous wife of Osborne Cox who seeks a divorce and complicates matters with her affair.
• Ted Treffon (Richard Jenkins): The kindhearted gym manager with unrequited feelings for Linda, who gets drawn into the blackmail scheme.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Osborne Cox: “I have a drinking problem? You’re a Mormon!” – Osbourne angrily responds to a colleague’s suggestion that his drinking is why he’s being demoted.
• Chad Feldheimer: “We’re offering you a valuable product, sir.” – Chad says this to Osbourne while trying to sell him the disc.
• CIA Superior: “What did we learn, Palmer?” – The CIA Superior asks this question at the very end of the movie, trying to make sense of the entire situation.
• CIA Officer: “I don’t know, sir.” – The CIA Officer responds to his superior showing the overall confusion of the events.
• CIA Superior: “I don’t fuckin’ know either. I guess we learned not to do it again.” – The CIA Superior responds to his subordinate summarizing the Coen brother’s dark humor in this film.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $37,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $60,355,347
• Worldwide Gross: $163,728,902

💥 Burn After Reading Reviews

Personal Review

I absolutely loved this movie! The Coen brothers have a way of crafting these absurd, over-the-top stories that are both hilarious and strangely thought-provoking. Brad Pitt’s performance as Chad is pure comedic gold. He fully commits and makes Chad completely believable, in his cluelessness. The whole story feels like a fever dream, and the ending is just perfect chaos. I left the cinema wanting to immediately watch it again.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of dark comedies”
  • “Those who appreciate Coen Brothers’ films”
  • “Viewers who enjoy ensemble casts and quirky characters”
  • “People who like spy thrillers with a comedic twist”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence”
  • “Strong language”
  • “Sexual content”
  • “Adult themes”

Professional Reviews

• Rolling Stone: “The Coen Brothers deliver a wickedly funny and brilliantly acted satire that skewers the world of espionage and personal obsession. While the plot may seem convoluted at times, the sharp dialogue and stellar performances keep you hooked.
• The New York Times: “A darkly comic caper that’s less concerned with plot than with creating a gallery of memorable eccentrics. Brad Pitt steals every scene he’s in, but the entire cast is firing on all cylinders.
• Variety: “Though undeniably stylish and filled with quirky characters, ‘Burn After Reading’ feels somewhat aimless and lacking in substance. The laughs are there, but the film never quite gels into a satisfying whole.

Audience Reactions

Brad Pitt’s performance is a must-see; hilarious!: The dark humor and quirky characters are a big hit with viewers, the plot isn’t for everyone.

The Coen brothers created a comedic masterpiece!: Excellent ensemble cast and unique storytelling make it a movie to remember.

Overall Consensus: Burn After Reading is a polarizing film. Many find the dark humor and eccentric characters entertaining, while others find it convoluted and lacking substance. Brad Pitt’s comedic performance is consistently praised.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The Coen Brothers wrote the character Osborne Cox with John Malkovich in mind. Brad Pitt’s character was also written with the actor in mind, inspired by a commercial for which he suffered a similar haircut and dye job.”
• “The Coen Brothers noted at a Q&A session at the Venice Film Festival that all the leading characters were written for all the leading actors, with the exception of Tilda Swinton.”

🖥️ How to Watch Burn After Reading?

Burn After Reading is widely available for streaming and purchase. You can find it on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu where you can rent or buy it. Check your local cable provider or streaming service for availability as well.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Burn After Reading, you might like these similar films:

• The Big Lebowski (1998): Shares a similar Coen Brothers’ dark comedy style with eccentric characters caught in a convoluted plot.
• Fargo (1996): Another Coen Brothers’ crime film with quirky characters making bad decisions leading to escalating chaos.
• In Bruges (2008): Dark comedy with hitmen in hiding, similar tone and unexpected violence.
• Argo (2012): A thriller involving the CIA. It provides a serious take on espionage, in contrast to the satirical elements in Burn After Reading
• Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964): A dark satire on government and military incompetence leading to absurd and potentially catastrophic outcomes.

🛒 Burn After Reading Related Products

• The Big Lebowski (Blu-ray): Another Coen Brothers classic, available for streaming. ‘The Big Lebowski’ offers a similar style of dark humor and quirky characters for fans of ‘Burn After Reading’.
• Funko Pop! Movies: The Big Lebowski – The Dude: Add a touch of Coen Brothers-inspired absurdity to your collection. These Funko Pop Figures bring the iconic characters to life, perfect for displaying your love for the movie.
• Hail, Caesar! [Blu-ray]: Another Coen Brothers classic, available for streaming. ‘Hail, Caesar!’ offers a similar style of dark humor and quirky characters for fans of ‘Burn After Reading’.
• No Country for Old Men (Blu-ray): Another Coen Brothers classic, available for streaming. ‘No Country for Old Men’ offers a similar style of dark humor and quirky characters for fans of ‘Burn After Reading’.

🎧 Soundtrack

Burn After Reading features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “My Eyes Adored You” – performed by George Clooney
• “Theme From Burn After Reading” – performed by Carter Burwell
• “Canzon Quarta a 5” – performed by Giovanni Gabrieli

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

WATCH: Brad Pitt repeats the one movie line that’s stayed with him

Ever wondered what line from a movie Brad Pitt can’t forget? He reveals it in this short clip, giving us a glimpse into his personal connection with ‘Burn After Reading’.

Bill Hader on Burn After Reading

Join Bill Hader as he dissects ‘Burn After Reading,’ sharing his comedic insights and offering a fresh take on the film’s quirky characters and absurd plot.

Burn After Reading – Beyond Stupid

Delve into the minds of the hilariously dimwitted characters from ‘Burn After Reading’ in this video essay. It’s a must-watch for fans who appreciate the film’s clever exploration of human folly.

✨ Rate