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Burn After Reading

  • 20082008
  • K-13K-13
  • 1h 36m
IMDb RATING
7.0/10
332K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
3,293
96
Burn After Reading (2008)
Burn After Reading - Theatrical Trailer
Play trailer1:48
18 Videos
99+ Photos
ComedyCrimeDrama

A disk containing mysterious information from a CIA agent ends up in the hands of two unscrupulous and daft gym employees who attempt to sell it.A disk containing mysterious information from a CIA agent ends up in the hands of two unscrupulous and daft gym employees who attempt to sell it.A disk containing mysterious information from a CIA agent ends up in the hands of two unscrupulous and daft gym employees who attempt to sell it.

IMDb RATING
7.0/10
332K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
3,293
96
  • Directors
    • Ethan Coen
    • Joel Coen
  • Writers
    • Joel Coen
    • Ethan Coen
  • Stars
    • Brad Pitt
    • Frances McDormand
    • George Clooney
Top credits
  • Directors
    • Ethan Coen
    • Joel Coen
  • Writers
    • Joel Coen
    • Ethan Coen
  • Stars
    • Brad Pitt
    • Frances McDormand
    • George Clooney
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 687User reviews
    • 340Critic reviews
    • 63Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 3 BAFTA Awards
      • 8 wins & 32 nominations total

    Videos18

    Burn After Reading
    Trailer 1:48
    Burn After Reading
    Burn After Reading
    Trailer 0:33
    Burn After Reading
    A Guide to the Films of the Coen Brothers
    Clip 1:56
    A Guide to the Films of the Coen Brothers
    Burn After Reading
    Clip 0:53
    Burn After Reading
    Burn After Reading
    Clip 0:43
    Burn After Reading
    Burn After Reading
    Clip 0:36
    Burn After Reading
    Burn After Reading
    Clip 0:50
    Burn After Reading
    Burn After Reading
    Clip 0:36
    Burn After Reading
    Burn After Reading
    Clip 0:30
    Burn After Reading
    Burn After Reading
    Clip 0:38
    Burn After Reading
    Tilda Swinton in Burn After Reading
    Featurette 1:20
    Tilda Swinton in Burn After Reading
    Brad Pitt in Burn After Reading
    Featurette 1:49
    Brad Pitt in Burn After Reading

    Photos168

    Brad Pitt in Burn After Reading (2008)
    John Malkovich in Burn After Reading (2008)
    Brad Pitt in Burn After Reading (2008)
    John Malkovich in Burn After Reading (2008)
    Frances McDormand and Jeffrey DeMunn in Burn After Reading (2008)
    Tilda Swinton in Burn After Reading (2008)
    George Clooney and Frances McDormand in Burn After Reading (2008)
    George Clooney and Frances McDormand in Burn After Reading (2008)
    George Clooney and Tilda Swinton in Burn After Reading (2008)
    Ethan Coen and Joel Coen in Burn After Reading (2008)
    Brad Pitt in Burn After Reading (2008)
    Brad Pitt and Frances McDormand in Burn After Reading (2008)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Brad Pitt
    Brad Pitt
    • Chad Feldheimer
    Frances McDormand
    Frances McDormand
    • Linda Litzke
    George Clooney
    George Clooney
    • Harry Pfarrer
    John Malkovich
    John Malkovich
    • Osborne Cox
    Tilda Swinton
    Tilda Swinton
    • Katie Cox
    Richard Jenkins
    Richard Jenkins
    • Ted
    Elizabeth Marvel
    Elizabeth Marvel
    • Sandy Pfarrer
    David Rasche
    David Rasche
    • CIA Officer Palmer DeBakey Smith
    J.K. Simmons
    J.K. Simmons
    • CIA Superior
    • (as JK Simmons)
    Olek Krupa
    Olek Krupa
    • Krapotkin
    Michael Countryman
    Michael Countryman
    • Alan
    Kevin Sussman
    Kevin Sussman
    • Tuchman Marsh Man
    J.R. Horne
    • Divorce Lawyer
    • (as JR Horne)
    Hamilton Clancy
    Hamilton Clancy
    • Peck
    Armand Schultz
    Armand Schultz
    • Olson
    Pun Bandhu
    • Party Guest
    Karla Mosley
    Karla Mosley
    • Party Guest
    Jeffrey DeMunn
    Jeffrey DeMunn
    • Cosmetic Surgeon
    • Directors
      • Ethan Coen
      • Joel Coen
    • Writers
      • Joel Coen
      • Ethan Coen
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The Coen brothers (Joel Coen & Ethan Coen) said they wrote the screenplay for this film while writing the screenplay for Menetetty maa (2007). They would usually alternate every other day for each script.
    • Goofs
      The CIA Supervisor states that Venezuela does not have an extradition treaty with the US. Venezuela has had a bilateral extradition treaty with the US since 1923.
    • Quotes

      Osbourne Cox: I have a drinking problem? Fuck you, Peck, you're a Mormon. Compared to you we ALL have a drinking problem!

    • Crazy credits
      As usual, the Coen Brothers edited this film under the pseudonym Roderick Jaynes
    • Connections
      Featured in De wereld draait door: Episode #4.10 (2008)
    • Soundtracks
      My Eyes Adored You
      Written by Bob Crewe and Kenny Nolan

      Sung by George Clooney

    User reviews687

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    9/10
    Burn After Reading — What if you believed you were in a spy movie?
    Burn After Reading is a weird movie. It takes everything that makes a good spy flick and turn it on its head. You can't help but incredulously laugh at what happens. This is all about oddballs.

    The good. Excellent acting. Totally off the wall characters, actions and situations, yet completely logical. Story with twists within twists. Well paced scenario. Solid dialogs. Nice action.

    The actors. George Clooney, Frances McDormand, Brad Pitt, and John Malkovich play disturbingly crazy roles stuffed with delusion and heavily dosed with stupidity. While Richard Jenkins, David Rasche, and J.K. Simmons seem almost out of place as the standard bearers of reason.

    The bad. Since it's so bizarre, it won't please everyone.

    The ugly. Nothing.

    The result. Offbeat and cooky comedy. Don't think you'll see your run of the mill kind of film and you'll have fun.
    helpful•72
    9
    • AvidClimber
    • Jun 2, 2013

    FAQ5

    • Is "Burn After Reading" based on a book?
    • Were Osborne Cox's memoirs on the disc?
    • What are the songs from the trailer?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • November 21, 2008 (Finland)
    • Countries of origin
      • United States
      • United Kingdom
      • France
    • Official site
      • Official Facebook
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Quémese después de leerse
    • Filming locations
      • Bronx Community College - University Avenue at West 181 Street, Bronx, New York City, New York, USA
    • Production companies
      • Focus Features
      • StudioCanal
      • Relativity Media
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $37,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $60,355,347
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $19,128,001
      • Sep 14, 2008
    • Gross worldwide
      • $163,728,902
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 36 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • SDDS
      • Dolby Digital
      • DTS
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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