Burn After Reading (2008)

Most people think so. 78% of audiences gave it a thumbs up, by Google's archived audience score. Critics agree, scoring it 70%.

When a disc containing memoirs of a former CIA analyst falls into the hands of gym employees, Linda and Chad, they see a chance to make enough money for Linda to have life-changing cosmetic surgery. Predictably, events whirl out of control for the duo, and those in their orbit. Wikipedia ↗

Burn After Reading is a 2008 American black comedy crime film written and directed by Joel and Ethan Coen. The film follows a chaotic chain of events triggered when a disc containing the memoirs of a fired CIA analyst, played by John Malkovich, is found at a gym by two dim-witted personal trainers — Chad Feldheimer, played by Brad Pitt, and Linda Litzke, played by Frances McDormand — who attempt to sell the information to the Russian Embassy for money Linda needs for cosmetic surgery. The ensuing comedy of errors involves a U.S.

Marshal carrying on an affair via internet dating, played by George Clooney, and escalating violence that bewilders even the CIA officers monitoring the situation. The Coens created a farce about stupidity in which every character believes they are the smartest person in the room while being catastrophically wrong. Brad Pitt's Chad — an endlessly enthusiastic, vacuous gym employee who thinks he's a spy — was one of the most delightful comedic performances of his career.

Burn After Reading earned $163 million worldwide on a $37 million budget.