Burn After Reading (2008)

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.

Directors:

Ethan Coen, Joel Coen

Writers:

Joel Coen, Ethan Coen

Stars:

Brad Pitt, Frances McDormand, George Clooney

Nominated for 2 Golden Globes. Another 8 wins & 30 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
George Clooney	...	Harry Pfarrer
Frances McDormand	...	Linda Litzke
Brad Pitt	...	Chad Feldheimer
John Malkovich	...	Osborne Cox
Tilda Swinton	...	Katie Cox
Richard Jenkins	...	Ted
Elizabeth Marvel	...	Sandy Pfarrer
David Rasche	...	CIA Officer Palmer DeBakey Smith
J.K. Simmons	...	CIA Superior (as JK Simmons)
Olek Krupa	...	Krapotkin
Michael Countryman	...	Alan
Kevin Sussman	...	Tuchman Marsh Man
J.R. Horne	...	Divorce Lawyer (as JR Horne)
Hamilton Clancy	...	Peck
Armand Schultz	...	Olson

Storyline

Osbourne Cox, a Balkan expert, resigned from the CIA because of a drinking problem, so he begins a memoir. His wife wants a divorce and expects her lover, Harry, a philandering State Department marshal, to leave his wife. A CD-ROM falls out of a gym bag at a Georgetown fitness center. Two employees there try to turn it into cash: Linda, who wants money for cosmetic surgery, and Chad, an amiable goof. Information on the disc leads them to Osbourne who rejects their sales pitch; then they visit the Russian embassy. To sweeten the pot, they decide they need more of Osbourne's secrets. Meanwhile, Linda's boss likes her, and Harry's wife leaves for a book tour. All roads lead to Osbourne's house.

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Plot Keywords:

stupidity | dark comedy | internet dating | original story | gym | 

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Taglines:

Intelligence is only their job.

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Genres:

Comedy | Crime | Drama | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for pervasive language, some sexual content and violence

Did You Know?

Trivia

In the Russian Embassy, after Chad (Brad Pitt) and Linda (Frances McDormand) accompany the man down the hall, there is a picture of Vladimir Putin hanging on the wall behind the Russian man.

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Goofs

When Chad Feldheimer enters the Cox residence the basement door is different between the outside view (door and side window) and inside view (no side window).

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Quotes

Chad Feldheimer: And
[takes a piece of paper out of his pocket]
Chad Feldheimer: I got his number! I got his number!

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Crazy Credits

As usual, the Coen Brothers edited this film under the pseudonym Roderick Jaynes

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Connections

Referenced in Who Wants to Be a Millionaire: Million Dollar Movie Week 5 (2009)

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Soundtracks

Something I Shouldn't Have Had
(2002)
Written by Tim Wallington (as T. Wallington), Stuart Langley (as S. Langley)
Performed by Revolvo

User Reviews

John Malkovich is the best thing about this!

This is one of the best dark comedies ever made! There is only one thing that rubs me the wrong way and I won't spoil that otherwise I love this Coen brothers quirky masterpiece. I originally saw this in the theater, that was fun, I still can't believe it's been 11 years now since 08. So beyond well written and very cool camera shots; Burn After Reading makes me feel so damn good! Also I absolutely love the music and excessive use of profanity!

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official site

Country:

USA UK France

Language:

English

Release Date:

12 September 2008 (USA)

Also Known As:

Burn After Reading

Filming Locations:

Greenpoint, Long Island, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$37,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$19,128,001, 14 September 2008

Gross USA:

$60,355,347

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$163,728,902

Company Credits

Production Co:

Focus Features, StudioCanal, Relativity Media

Technical Specs

Runtime:

96 min

Sound Mix:

SDDS Dolby Digital DTS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1