Intolerable Cruelty

B+

Seeing Intolerable Cruelty the first time, a year ago, I failed to appreciate the little gem the Coen Brothers crafted. This is a comedy that's high on wit and wisely lean on sentimentality - basically what James L. Brooks can't do. It throws a number of wild curves, some of which would leave the audience lost, which is why a second viewing, where all the plot twists matter less, is necessary to reveal what this diamond in the rough has to offer.

Intolerable Cruelty is about the degrading value of matrimony wrapped around an unlikely love story between Miles Massey (George Clooney) and Marylin Rothchild (Catherine Zeta-Jones). The former is a brilliant but eccentric divorce attorney with an abundant preoccupation with his teeth. The latter is the golddigger ex-wife of a real estate billionaire, who despite "indemonstrable infidelity" on his part, was left without a single cent, thanks to Massey. Romance came to Miles' town when Marylin appears a short time later, soon to be married again to an oil tycoon (Billy Bob Thornton), and solicited Miles' services.

Aside from the hilarious screenplay, the movie's strength lies on its two leads, especially Clooney who nailed Miles Massey in a one-of-a-kind quirky, charming and real way. Zeta-Jones, though less funny, exudes enigmatic beauty which is exactly the stuff that the all-too-smooth Massey fall head-over-heels for ("You fascinate me," hissed Miles at Marylin). Other big name actors are present to fill in the supporting roles, including Geoffrey Rush and Cedric the Entertainer.

The 2nd half of Intorelable Cruelty is where the plot swerve around. The initial slow pace, which allowed more character development and humorous one-liners, quickened and created an episodic feel towards the proceedings. The movie clocks in at a short 1 hour 40 minutes. Although that's a good way to go, one wouldn't complain if 10 more minutes is spent to beef-up the last 40 minutes, to smoothen the transition and allow a smoother plot development.
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