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Million Dollar Movie

I watched Intolerable Cruelty again recently and really enjoyed it. It’s not considered one of the Coens’ better movies but the acting is sharp and the Coens’ get the screwball down here in a crisp, biting way that was missing from The Hudsucker Proxy (though that movie has its pleasures, too).

Maybe it’s because I think Catherine Zeta-Jones is a fox and because I like George Clooney when he does comedy. Their chemistry works in a way we rarely see in war of sexes movies these days.

Billy Bob Thorton really cracks me up in his small role.

6 comments

1 Jon Weisman   ~  Dec 19, 2012 12:20 pm

Have to say, I would definitely take Hudsucker over Intolerable Cruelty. Hudsucker is amazing.

2 Alex Belth   ~  Dec 19, 2012 1:28 pm

Much more of a Coen vision, Hudsucker. I love the image of that little kid discovering the hoola hoop and making it spin around his neck.

3 The Hawk   ~  Dec 19, 2012 4:22 pm

My recollection is Intolerable Cruelty starts off pretty well but kind of flatlines after a while.

Hudsucker Proxy is kind of a jumbled mess, somewhat annoying at times but has its good elements, like Paul Newman (for a bit anyway).

4 Mr OK Jazz Tokyo   ~  Dec 19, 2012 7:52 pm

Didn't like the movie but would watch it again for CZJ...yowza!

5 The Mick536   ~  Dec 20, 2012 8:37 am

Had the same reaction to Intolerable Cruelty. Grossly underrated. But, then again I put The Man Who Wasn't There high on my list.

Recently, before Newtown, the Film Society of Burlington had to cancel a showing of Miller's Crossing due to lack of interest. My neighbors like stories about women coming of age, healthy cooking and historical metafiction. No wonder there are only 13 stripes on the flag.

6 Alex Belth   ~  Dec 20, 2012 8:43 am

5)That's too bad. I like Miller's Crossing the more that I see it. I wasn't a fan when it came out because it was released at the same time as Good Fellas and I was such a Scorsese groupie and a groupie of that movie--I saw it five times in the theater after having worked in the post-production facility where it was edited and where I caught glimpses of it throughout the editing process--that I didn't give Miller's a chance. It's fun screenplay to read, too.

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