Film Review: Intolerable Cruelty

Review of: Intolerable Cruelty (2003)

Film:: Ethan Coen, Joel Coen

Reviewed by: David M. Brown

Rating:: 3

On May 17, 2013Last modified:May 17, 2013

Summary:

Clooney’s charismatic Miles is worth giving this a try for but it could have been much better.

More DetailsIntolerable Cruelty (2003)Another offering from the highly acclaimed Coen brothers sees George Clooney as Miles Massey, a divorce lawyer who always wins his case until he comes head to head with the scheming, money-grabbing, yet alluring, Mrs Marilyn Rexroth (Catherine Zeta-Jones). Miles and Marilyn each embark on their own ruthless romantic missions to outdo one another and amass great wealth. Sparks fly in this battle-of-the-sexes comedy.

Starring: George Clooney, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Billy Bob Thornton, Geoffrey Rush, Cedric the Entertainer

Directed by: Ethan Coen, Joel Coen

Runtime: 100 minutes

Studio: Universal Studios

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Review: Intolerable Cruelty

The Coens reunite with George Clooney for this black comedy about lawyer Miles Massey (Clooney) who specialises in winning big divorce cases but more than meets his match when he comes up against Marylin Rexroth (Catherine Zeta-Jones) who does not suffer defeat gladly and what follows is a fierce exchange between her and Miles involving marriage and even murder plots.

Miles’s first case is successfully defending an unfaithful wife leaving her with everything and her husband out of pocket. His next challenge is defending Rex Rexroth (Edward Herrmann) who has been cheating on his wife Marylin. With video evidence at her disposal, Marylin wants to take her husband for everything he has. Coming up against Miles though she has fierce resistance though it is clear the two of them have an interest in each other. Miles manages to secure Rex’s fortune and leaves Marylin with nothing despite her being the wronged party. She does not take this setback well and plots her way back into the money. Miles, court proceedings to one side, is smitten with Marylin and pursues her but will he succeed in wooing her or is Marylin just too much for him to handle?

As Coen brothers’ films go this is certainly one of their weaker efforts sadly. Clooney is once again on fine form under the Coens’ direction but it is Zeta-Jones that is something of a weak link here. There is a distinct lack of chemistry between her and Clooney and it overshadows what is a pretty good storyline. The likes of Geoffrey Rush and Billy Bob Thornton are welcome additions to the cast but despite a sharp script this is far from vintage Coens.

Intolerable Cruelty has its moments but given the high standards the Coens have set with the likes of Raising Arizona, Miller’s Crossing, The Big Lebowski and O Brother Where Art Thou? this effort falls some way short of what I’ve been used to. Clooney’s charismatic Miles is worth giving this a try for but it could have been much better.

Verdict: 3/5

(Film source: reviewer’s own copy)

About the Author:

I was born in Barnsley, South Yorkshire, England and have always been a bookworm and enjoyed creative writing at school. In 1999 I created the Elencheran Chronicles and have been writing ever since. My first novel, Fezariu's Epiphany, was published in May 2011. When not writing I'm a lover of films, games, books and blogging. I now live in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, with my wife, Donna, and our six cats - Kain, Razz, Buggles, Charlie, Bilbo and Frodo.

David M. Brown – who has written 672 posts on Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dave.

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