Thursday, February 4, 2016

Hail, Caesar! (2016)

Written and Directed by The Coen Brothers
Starring Josh Brolin, George Clooney, Alden Ehrenreich and Ralph Fiennes


In my mind, The Coen Brother's are America's directors. They seem to capture so many different sub-cultures of America perfectly while also satirizing them. The desperation of the American Middle-Class in "Fargo". Three run-away prisoners during the depression era in "O Brother Where Art Thou?". And many others (I don't feel like listing each one. Check their filmography out for yourself!).

In "Hail, Caesar!", the genius brother's tackle Hollywood during the Golden Age of film. Following a studio "fixer", the guy that runs around sweeping scandals under rugs and keeping his bratty movie stars in check, as he attempts to solve his biggest problem yet. The kidnapping of their biggest star.


While this film more than likely won't be named with the Coen Brothers' masterpieces, it sticks with the style that has come to distance the duo from other directors. And it is no exception for my belief that they have never made a bad movie. Not one.

This film certainly rewards the hardcore movie goers in the audience. While many of the jokes will go over the heads of people not familiar with classic cinema, there is seldom a sequence in which there is no reference or nod to classic films. That is probably it's most notable feature.


If you're a casual movie goer, or aren't incredibly familiar with classic films of the 50s, you might not "get" this one. Although I highly encourage everyone to see it, because, well… you never know. But it is certainly not a film that is designed for everyone, as the Coen Brothers rarely are.

My Rating: 8/10



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