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Underground > Film, TV & Theatre >

Intolerable Cruelty

Suedey! SHOT FOR MEAT!

12:49 / 03.11.03

Has no-one else been to see this? I went the other day, and thought it was excellent. But also, it's not really a film that warrants much comment is it? Which is what I think is the reason behind such lack of comment. It's very nice, it does what it does well, and then it's gone.

It is, however, a very pleasant, snappy little film. But that's just it, I guess. It feels quite little. It's a lot of fun, but definitely more "Raising Arizona" than "Big Lebowski" (which is defintely the stand-out for me, of all their work).

So what do you think?

Danzig: He Pitys the Fool!

13:10 / 03.11.03

I know what you mean. It seemed to lack some of the catchy one liners, and quirky moments of other Coen films. I really enjoyed the film, and could tell you the story, but the only moment that stuck in my mind was the gun/inhaler moment. It was just a 'nice' film. It hasn't made me go all fanboy, but I have no criticisms either.

14:30 / 03.11.03

This was a joy purely because it was entirely silly and pointless - I liked all the throwaway things, like the list of initials on Marilyn's suitcase, the N.O.M.A.N. gag, and George Clooney's character trying to speak over Billy Bob Thornton. The opening scene with Geoffry Rush was fun (featuring also : an excellent example of comedy swearing) as well. As a Coen Brothers film, I'd agree that it doesn't stand out, but I think it does as a romantic comedy.

As for one-liners - I thought that "You fascinate me" was good, and I can't work out why...

Suedey! SHOT FOR MEAT!

15:16 / 03.11.03

It is indeed lovely, I think I was partly just surprised that no-one was talking about it.

It doesn't seem to have that special something to make it stick, although my particular favourite moment comes close...

"Wish I was a Kelloggs cornflake"

If you've seen it you'll know what I mean.

17:58 / 03.11.03

"What the fuck else colour is it going to be?"

I think "light" cinema is an all too underrated concept; I rather liked the fact it was frothy and gentle, and it did succeed at being wonderfully entertaining - slightly bizarre, slightly screwball, solid entertainment from start to end.

I think no-one was talking about it because, Coens or not, people have started using Barbelith less to discuss what they recently saw, and more to discuss issues. I've certainly stopped flagging everything I've seen simply because sometimes discussion isn't the first thing on my mind.

There needed to be more Geoffrey Rush: comedy use of the word "wanker" or no, there was a lot of mileage in that character which they wasted. I thought there was just enough Billy Bob.

Gun/inhaler was probably standout for me, though I reckon Wheezy Joe in general was just brilliant. "Are you Wheezy Joe?" "hngggggYeah".

Herb was pretty great as well, drips and all, though I really wanted his unstuck catheter to start spraying everywhere. But that's just the child in me. I did find it depressing that when I saw it, I was one of about two people in the cinema who got the let NOMAN tear asunder, and subsequently laughed a lot at it, to the bemusement of the Odeon Saturday night crowd.

I think it will probably get better with age, simply because it's a wonderful piece of craftsmanship - nothing excessive or out of place. And it's certainly got just enough of that definable Coen-ness about it, whilst having possibly the greatest potential audience of any of their films yet.

George Clooney is turning into one of Hollywood's greatest creations - could you honestly think that Doug Ross and The Peacemaker would lead to such a versatile, wonderful actor?

18:00 / 03.11.03

Oh god, I forgot:

THE TENNIS! George Clooney delivering dense script whilst the world's most redundant ball machine lobs tennis balls at him. Wonderful. In fact, I thought the dorky-lawyer-sidekick was fantastic as well, his prime glory coming with the Objection! t-shirt.

Jack The Bodiless

15:51 / 05.11.03

I will do my best to go and see this tonight.

Matthew Fluxington

13:58 / 07.11.03

I can't really understand why there are some people who dislike this film so much - I guess they are all Coen fans mired in expectations. Whatever. This film was great, it was very funny and had some very clever bits. George Clooney did a wonderful job, and revealed some serious comedic acting chops. Catherine Zeta-Jones was perfect for her role, and I felt that she had a lot of chemistry with Clooney. Edward Herrmann, Billy Bob Thornton, Cedric The Entertainer, and Paul Adelstein were spot-on in their supporting roles. And how can anyone deny Heinz, the Baron Krauss von Espy?

I thought that the first half of the film was sharper and funnier than the second half, but the second half was still funny, so I don't mind.

It was just a solid screwball comedy, and since so few solid comedies are made these days, you've got to take what you can get. It's fine entertainment.

19:23 / 08.11.03

I got the sense of a classic screwball comedy that they'd tweaked with some clever post modern touches. Nothing too stretching or remarkable but hugely entertaining. You guys have enumerated most of the gags and, apart from lovely George doing a fine job, that was the joy of it: it made me laugh, often.

Plus, CZ-J was toying with her public image and showing she had some cojones. Good for her, unless she is incredibly stupid and just did it for the money.