Rating: 7.9 of 10
The latest film by producer-writer-director duo, Ethan and Joel Coen (The Big Lebowsky, No Country For Old Men, Inside Llewyn Davis), Hail, Caesar! is not an easy film to explain at first glance. It doesn't have a clear, definable premise, except maybe this decidedly vague description in its synopsis: Hail, Caesar! follows a single day in the life of a studio fixer who is presented with plenty of problems to fix.
I may warn you now that this review is written by someone who's not a fan of Coen Brothers work--but I'd also remind you that I always, always try to see movies objectively. Their movies are always artistically and narratively outstanding, but I always find their movies to be a tad too uncomfortable for my taste. There's actually an excellent video essay (by Every Frame a Painting, watch it here) on exactly how Coen Brothers’ shots differ from “standard” filmmaking, which actually made me feel relieved because it turned out there's an actual cinematographical reason on why I don't like to see their films despite them being of high quality.
But Coen Brothers don't really care about making things "commercial" or "accessible", they just do what they want to do--and in result they always succeed in making one-of-a-kind movies with singularly unique voice. They are experts in what they do so it’s no wonder that the critics love them, and in a lot of ways, The Coen Brothers are the guardians of the art of filmmaking.
Now back to the actual movie. Set in the 1950s, the leads are played by Josh Brolin as studio man Eddie Mannix, and George Clooney-in-silly-haircut as actor Baird Whitlock. There are also a number of cameos from big stars like Scarlett Johansson, Tilda Swinton, Ralph Fiennes, Channing Tatum (in a scene that included singing and tap dancing), Jonah Hill, and more. If that sounds a bit sporadic, it’s because Hail Caesar! is indeed somewhat sporadic, if only because of the nature of the story. The crux of the story is about George Clooney’s character who is kidnapped, but there are a lot of things going at once that are only connected by the end of the film. However, with a lot of things going on, they do not feel jumbled or overstuffed at all. Especially with how gleefully absurd those cameos are, you don’t really mind because they really do make the soul of the movie.
There are a lot of talents involved in this movie, but there are definitely some standouts worth mentioning such as Alden Ehrenreich (soon to be young Han Solo in upcoming Star Wars prequel movie), Veronica Osorio, Channing Tatum, and Tilda Swinton who are just charming in each of their roles. In midst of deadpan hilarity and caricatured characters, Coen Brothers also managed to sneak-in a few commentary/satire on things like religion and Christianity, capitalism, communism, and even on the movie industry--which lend some weight to the movie instead of being just another well-made absurd comedy.
TL;DR While it’s not the best movie that the Coen Brothers had ever made, Hail Caesar! is an excellent film, although for me, it’s just refreshing to see something as blatantly original as Hail Caesar!. But if you’re a fan of the Coen Brothers--or a fan of something that I can only describe as uncomfortable comedy--then this movie is definitely for you.
I like to think Loki and Thor had a conversation when Hulk was fighting with thanos. You know maybe an apology and a “goodbye brother”
The Goonies (1985)
Smoking: After School Special
You know in the beginning when Robert Davi is faking dead in the county jail, I never understood how he knocked that cop out. It is one of the fakest hits I think I’ve seen in a movie. I mean sure it is 985, but it doesn’t have to be that terrible.
Introducing all the kids throughout the police chase is brilliant through Steven Spielberg. I think my favorite is Corey Feldman when he turns off the tv for the sirens and then the sirens keep going and he hits the tv 😂 just turn around.
True brother-ship right there. Josh Brolin and Sean Astin definitely act like how brothers would.
Ke Huy Quan is my favorite though. All his inventions.
F**king CF. All of those crazy things he “translated” for Lupe Ontiveros. “Always separate the drugs” 🙄
Jeff Cohen… so loud, so annoying. Let’s just yell as loud as you can that these people are going to kill you to where they can hear you. Like tf
Anne Ramsey is definitely one of the scarier mob ladies I think I’ve ever seen. She was definitely a great choice to play Mama Fratelli.
Kerri Green and Martha Plimpton running into the restaurant screaming after finding fish heads on a rake. KG “it jumped right out of the bushes” 🙄 big babies.
Guess Nike paid for some ad space. Saw 2 clear shots of different kinds of shoes as they lowered into the tunnel.
I absolutely love when they starting banging on the pipes! The asshats at the Country Club deserve every bit. Especially Steven Antin in the bathroom!
Just realized that Joe Pantoliano is the captain in Bad Boys. Had to text the bestie 😎
Goonies Never Say Die!
How does AR know the shoe size she was looking at are 5’s??
Now I really wanna Baby Ruth.
KHQ’s inventions saved his live. Pinchers of Peril! Next, his slick shoes!
Then my favorite booby trap from One Eye Willie. The Bone Organ. Poor KG all that pressure to do it right and not kill everyone.
Then we have John Matuszak turn into Super Sloth and kicks his brothers asses! And then AR being a terrible mother. “I only dropped you one once. Well maybe twice.”
I always wondered how JC’s mother in the movie felt about him saying that JM was going to live with them now. Like just inviting some adult stranger into your home.
Of course, they save The Goon Docks!
Thanks for reading this episode of Reefer-Reelz-N-Reviews!
Toke on!😶🌫️
-RRR