Plot: A Hollywood fixer in the 1950s works to keep the studio’s stars in line.
There may be spoilers the rest of the review
Verdict: Too Much Going On
Story: Hail Caesar! Starts as we learn Eddie Mannix (Brolin) a fixer for a movie studio cleaning up all the problems that signed up stars find themselves in. The studio he works for is Capitol Pictures that are looking to make the movie Hail Caesar! There religious masterpiece with Baird Whitlock (Clooney) taking the title role.
With the picture ready to shoot his final scenes Baird disappears as we know he is kidnapped but the studio thinks he is on a bender. We also see how well respected director Laurence Laurentz (Fiennes) has been assigned a new star Hobie Doyle (Ehrenreich) to star in his new drama with only western experience which causes tension.
We have to watch how Eddie will bring Baird back to the studio dealing with the ransom and the fellow stars and their wild demands.
Hail Caesar! is the latest from the Coen Brothers who have given us some of the best films in the last 30 years, they have always put their own stamp on any genre they tackle. For me this story has all the makings of one of their usual film but I do think everything comes off slightly over complicated with way too many characters introduced seemingly to show off that they got big names in this film. The story seems to be all over the place with small subplots that do all tie into the final outcome as the story seems to be more about the day in the life of Eddie Mannix rather than just the kidnapping.
Actor Review
Josh Brolin: Eddie Mannix is a movie studio fixer that keeps his stars in line and out of trouble. When his star actor gets kidnapped he must cover it up and pay of the kidnappers while also handling his potential new star Hobie Doyle as they look to repackage him. Josh is good in this leading role where we see him interact with all the major character in the film.
George Clooney: Baird Whitlock is the biggest star in the studio working on the biggest film the studio is producing. When he gets kidnapped and taken to a group of communist writers he must talk through his freedom while waiting for the ransom. George does good in this role where we get to see him play a role against how we would see him.
Alden Ehrenreich: Hobie Doyle is the western star who gets recruited to work on his first drama as he is getting repacked. He struggles with this new role because he is built for the western genre only. Alden does a good job considering how many bigger names are around him in this film.
Ralph Fiennes: Laurence Laurentz is the director of the drama that Hobie gets assigned to, he is one of the most respected in Hollywood and struggles to get what he wants out of Hobie. Ralph is good in this supporting role.
Support Cast: Hail Caesar! Has a huge supporting cast that includes some of the biggest names in Hollywood who all find themselves in the odd scene or two. This shows just how much Eddie has to deal with to make everything run smoothly.
Director Review: Ethan Coen, Joel Coen – Ethan & Joel put their unique touch on 50s Hollywood with the comedy you expect from them.
Comedy: Hail Caesar! Has small moments of comedy which mostly poke fun at how actors and perceived.
Mystery: Hail Caesar! Gives us a mystery as we are left to wonder who has taken Baird.
Settings: Hail Caesar! Makes us feel like we are in 1950 Hollywood in nearly every single scene.
Special Effects: Hail Caesar! Uses very simple special effects when needed without needing them to make everything happen.
Suggestion: Hail Caesar! is one to try, if you are a Coen Brother fan you should enjoy but otherwise it will come off slightly soft. (Try It)
Best Part: Tatum continues to show his range in this supporting role.
Worst Part: Slightly too many characters with almost pointless scenes.
Believability: No
Chances of Tears: No
Chances of Sequel: No
Post Credits Scene: No
Oscar Chances: No
Budget: $22 Million
Runtime: 1 Hour 46 Minutes
Tagline: Lights. Camera. Abduction.
Overall: Overcomplicated Mystery Comedy.
Rating