Intolerable Cruelty Movie
Storyline
TAGLINES
A romantic comedy with bite.
Engage the enemy.
They can't keep their hands off each others assets.
Miles Massey, a prominent Los Angeles divorce attorney has everything—and in some cases, two of everything. Despite his impressive client list, a formidable win record, the respect of his peers and an ironclad contract (the Massey pre-nup) named after him, he's reached a crossroads in his life. Sated on success, boredom has set in and he's looking for new challenges. All that changes when Miles meets his match in the devastating Marylin Rexroth. Marylin is the soon-to-be ex-wife of his client Rex Rexroth, a wealthy real estate developer and habitual philanderer. With the help of hard charging private investigator Gus Petch, she has Rex nailed and is looking forward to the financial independence a successful divorce will bring. But thanks to Miles' considerable skills, she ends up with nothing. Not to be outdone, Marylin schemes to get even and as part of her plan, quickly marries oil tycoon Howard Doyle. Miles and his unflappable associate, Wrigley, unwittingly dig themselves in deeper and deeper as they go head-to-head with Marylin. Underhanded tactics, deceptions and an undeniable attraction escalate as Marylin and Miles square off in this classic battle of the sexes.
| George Clooney | Miles Massey |
| Billy Bob Thornton | Howard D. Doyle |
| Geoffrey Rush | Donovan Donaly |
| Catherine Zeta-Jones | Marylin Rexroth |
| Cedric the Entertainer | Gus Petch |
| Tom Aldredge | Herb Myerson |
| Edward Herrmann | Rex Rexroth |
| Paul Adelstein | Wrigley |
| Richard Jenkins | Freddy Bender |
| Julia Duffy | Sarah Sorkin |
| Jonathan Hadary | Heinz, the Baron Krauss von Espy |
| Stacey Travis | Bonnie Donaly |
| Jack Kyle | Ollie Olerud |
| Irwin Keyes | Wheezy Joe |
| Judith Drake | Mrs. Gutman |
| Joel Coen |
| Ethan Coen |
6.50 out of 10 (19416 votes)
Visitor Reviews
The Coen Brothers have done it again!
posted on 22 Aug 2009Joel and Ethan Coen are known for making odd-quirky movies that often have a motive or lesson behind it. "Fargo" dealt with organized crime, "The Big Lebowski" dealt with how an unemployed bum doesn't have to deal with the world, "The Hudsucker Proxy" showed how a low educated individual can change an industry; now in "Intolerable Cruelty" the Coens show audiences how love is some what odd.George Clooney is Miles Massey, a high powered divorced lawyer that is bored out of his life and feels as he's missing something; until he meets Maryiln played by Catherine Zeta-Jones, a money digger that loves wealthy men and goes after their money. Miles deals with her former husband, Rex Rexworth(Edward Herrmann) after Maryiln sends her private detective, Gus Pitch (played wickedly by Cedric the Entertainer) to go after Rex and his mistress. As much as it is, Miles is in love with Maryiln and wishes that she could be a part of his life; until they meet in Las Vegas where the sparks fly and both characters are in love with each other. There's more to the summary, but I'll leave for you to find out what happens."Intolerable Cruelty" is by far one of the most funniest screwball comedies I have ever seen. Not only is it directed by the Coen brothers, but it has an impressive cast as well. Other than George Clooney, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Cedric the Entertainer; the film also stars Billy Bob Thorton, Bruce Campbell(in a cameo), Julia Duffy, Richard Jenkins and Geoffrey Rush.This is one of the Coen's best comedies.
George's chance to redeem himself...
posted on 20 Aug 2009Some friends and I called this "George's chance to redeem himself." I went to see this film a bit hesitantly. Having seen two awful George Clooney movies back to back (O Brother - that the title suits that one - and Solaris) and had vowed that if this movie was anything like those, I would never view another Clooney flick again. Needless to say, I was pleasantly surprised. Clooney is charming and suave as Miles Massey and Catherine Zeta-Jones is alluring and mysterious as Marilyn. Their chemistry leapt off the screen to me and the whole film was an enjoyable comedic romp. My only complaint is that there seemed to be a bit too many plot twists. At a point where I thought the movie was going to end, it took a turn and kept going for thirty more minutes. however, I found myself wishing there were more once the film was actually over. Well, those are my two cents. George, you have redeemed yourself in my eyes. Good job!!
A Great Comedy
posted on 16 Aug 2009This has got to be one of the best comedy's in a long time. I laughed from opening scene to end. The subtleness of the jokes makes it even better.
The acting was great on all parts. I will be buying this film as soon as it comes out. The Coen Brothers have been putting out great movies for a while and this one is no different. If you can get out and see this movie immediately.
Untolerable Cruelty to Watch
posted on 16 Aug 2009What a mess! One of the worst cinematic pieces of Rubbish of this or any other Century! Now George Clooney has made two movies on the IMDb worst 100 movies list This One and Batman....jeeze ....I just wanted everyone in this movie to die. Not Funny, Not Clever....The acting, If one can call it that was hackneyed, Contrived, posed, and just plain awful. In a word "hammy" at the best, and borrish and Silly at the worst. This was a film about truly dispicble people whom we were supposed to laugh at....In our film, Hero (yeah right) George has an epiphany of regret from his evil ways and finds "love" in his heart of hearts...then in the next seen wants the object of his new found profound love "Whacked!?" Yeah, Right, Now there is a Movie for the New Milineum....Aaaaargh! What a waist of money and time...
A waste of talent
posted on 10 Aug 2009After reading some of the reviews I looked forward to seeing this film described as "a screwball comedy" in the tradition of Gable, Cary Grant, Carole Lombard and others. After seeing the film the new definition of screwball comedy means a film lacking in laughs. What fails here is the script; no wit, no verbal forays. What I do not understand is what happened. The basic idea is great and must have wowed in the story conference. The talent is there: Clooney, Zeta-Jones, Rush and directed by Joel Coen. But whoever did the script and whoever approved the script let the side down. Clooney was cast for this role but his talent cannot save it. No edge to the character of Miles Massey (great name)in the style of "Out of Sight". Too bad.
The Movie That Base Exactly As It's Name
posted on 08 Aug 2009There are loads of stars in this movie but if you were looking forward for G. Rush and Billy Bob - "don't". They are just the cameo who actually in for around 3 min and not more. (That what I actually go for, to see Billy Bob)All the time you will see G. Clooney and C.Z. Jones play tricks on each other. The acting was pretty OK but the length of the movie is actually just like the name of the movie. The editing might be confusing at time and IMHO this movie is not (NOT) funny.It is just another romantic comedy. But if you want to watch con movie and actually funny watch Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (1988) of S. Martin, that I guarantee that you will laugh your ass-off.Rating: 5/10 (Grade: C)
The Coens Have Done it Again!
posted on 06 Aug 2009Like a Bach fugue, Intolerable Cruelty moves beautifully and intricately from start to finish. Clooney and Zeta-Jones, along with a terrific supporting cast, make the material shine. The fortune hunter versus all-powerful divorce lawyer plot is full of twists and turns to keep us guessing how the entire thing will turn out. And the ending is one of the most satisfying in recent memory, especially when we consider the desperate and slimy nature of network TV reality programming these days. Last, I'm still laughing at the scenes in which Clooney interacts with the head of his law firm. Why do I have a sneaking suspicion that this is really the way it is?
Elemental Charm
posted on 31 Jul 2009Those Coen boys almost always put out some good stuff, and while Intolerable Cruelty may not rank up there with the best of their work, it still beats the standard Hollywood drivel hands down.The dialog is crisp and funny. It's chock full of little inside jokes, and subtle word play. The alliteration and double meaning of the character names made me laugh, as did the legal N.O.M.A.N. organization moniker.The story is simple but sweet, it's not like real life, but it works. The film in some ways feels like a motion picture from the 1940s that has been brought forward into the modern day but somehow maintained it's elemental 40s style and charm.If you like George Clooney or Catherine Zeta-Jones, then there's an added bonus for you.I thought it was a fine way to spend an evening on the couch with someone I love.I'm Tex Nickle and that's all I've got to say about Intolerable Cruelty.
I can only speak for the first half hour . . .
posted on 17 Jul 2009I can only speak for the first half hour of "Untolerable Cruelty". It was at that point that I finally got the Coen brothers' joke. The film itself is intolerable cruelty as exercised upon the audience. Happily I was able to divorce myself from this awful film with the push of a button.Comparing this thing to the mad-cap, but usually subtle, romantic comedies of the 30's, 40's and 50's is a lot like comparing a bulldozer to a Ferrari. Both can kill you if they hit you but the bulldozer will do a much more effective job. "Untolerable Cruelty" is most surely the bulldozer of comedy films. I visualized most of the dialog in this film (only the first half hour, of course) coming from the character's mouths in little cartoonish balloons. Oh, that's right, this wasn't "American Splendor". Also, I refuse to say anything about George Clooney's whitened teeth. Gosh, they sure were funny -- every time!Please see my prior comments as coming from a fan of the Coen brothers. "Fargo" was magnificent. But, I cavil -- everyone gets his chance (usually more than one) at creating disaster. This time it's the Coen boys! Maybe next time.
Intolerably cruel to watch
posted on 07 Jul 2009Very little of this movieis worth anything. It is basically an excercise in cruelty, with one character stabbing the other in the back the whole way through. There are moments when characters look like they're making a turn for the better, but then they go back to being just plain bad, and drawing the movie out much longer than it needs to be. And the very worst of these characters is Catherine Zeta-Jones' heartless you-know-what, who ends up falling for the divorce attorney (Clooney) who kept her from getting anything off her rich, philandering husband (go figure). Or at least it would appear. For Clooney's part, he's a scumbag who's found a conscience when he becomes smitten with the gold-digging beauty. She doesn't return the favor, though, in any way that can make the viewer want to see her come out on top.On the plus side, for a story that was not originated by the Coens, there are still some interesting minor details that seem to be inspired moments in the brothers' imagination. Herb, the senior partner of Clooney's law firm, lives in the basement of the building, hooked up to eerie-looking tubes, with such literature as "Living Without Intestines" on his coffee table. Also, is the character of Wheezy Pete, an asthmatic hit man whose demise comes when he mistakens his pistol for his inhaler. Also, a Scottish preacher in Las Vegas, who marries Clooney and Zeta-Jones, is a hilarious character.The supporting characters of Geoffrey Rush's psycho producer Donovan Donaly and Cedric the Entertainer's a$$-nailing private detective are too-little seen. Especially after Rush's outlandish performance in the opening scene, shooting at his cheating wife and snapping Polaroids of his rump, where she stabbed him with a trophy before taking off.In all, this was a movie that COULD have been entertaining. But movies with no redeemable characters make for terrible romantic comedies.
Funny same old same
posted on 27 Jun 2009It is probably the Coen brothers' fault if a viewer comes out of the theatre quite amused but also a bit disappointed after having seen this movie - they have been spoiling their public, providing very intriguing and extremely alternative (e.g.: very far from mainstream) films. If you wanted something different, the Coen brothers were the answer. But, alas, not at all in this case! The topic is a dusty classic - wealth-centric marriages and divorces. The plot is too predictable (but I'm not going to reveal it, don't worry). The characters are very simple and mono-faceted. (Some of them are funny only because of weird breathing noises). The acting is fair - maybe Zeta-Jones is extremely beautiful but not fit for a comedy, while Clooney should definitely become a comedy actor (especially now that people like Steve Martin or Billy Crystal have started showing the signs of artistic age).So, if you want to have a few good laughs, go and see it, but please, do not expect anything more. Oh, imagining that the movie's director is Chris Columbus could help. Maybe.
I loved every minute of it!
posted on 21 Jun 2009I had heard a lot of comments about how this movie doesn't live up to other Coen Brothers movies, and how they should ''stick to what they know'', but I thoroughly enjoyed it! It was a much prettier movie than a lot of their films - thanks in large part to the lovely Ms. Zeta-Jones - but in my opinion still just as quirky and funny as any of their others. And the title sequence is wonderful! So, bring an open mind, slap down your twelve bucks, and enjoy!
Very enjoyable end of summer flick
posted on 28 May 2009Not up to par with the Coen brothers usual stuff, but very funny nonetheless. Some scenes were a little too cutesy, but overall I enjoyed it. The cast gave good performances, especially Thornton. Clooney and Zeta-Jones have a nice screen chemistry. I would like to see them in more movies together.
Coen Brothers lay an egg
posted on 28 May 2009Who would have guessed that the Coen Brothers secretly wanted to be the Farrelly Brothers? After years of turning out some of Hollywood's best and most interesting films, they first come up with the ponderous but beautiful "Man Who Wasn't There", and then bottom out completely with this cheap, lazy, stupid farce. It's so strenuously unfunny, it's impossible to know where to start: Hey, there's a rich guy with a pony tail and...and..he's getting stabbed in the arse! Wait, there's another rich guy in his underwear! Oh, and here's an effeminate man with a fluffy dog AND a funny accent! Stop, oh stop, my sides are splitting!Not.And, yes, there are not one but TWO moments when two characters, coming to a realisation, look at each other and simultaneously scream in horror. Oh, what larks.The film tries to recreate something of the 1930's screwball comedies feel, and misses by a mile because nobody's up to the task. Zeta Jones is set dressing, Clooney is merely smug and cannot, for the life of him, manage the snappy dialogue essential for such a genre -- no bad loss, seeing there's none here. Not just bad: coming from people as good as the Coen's, this is OFFENSIVELY bad.
Perfectly tolerable...even enjoyable!
posted on 24 May 2009No one in today's Hollywood is going to truly outshine past pairings such as Clark Gable and Joan Crawford, Cary Grant and Grace Kelly or even Rock Hudson and Doris Day. They simply had too much mystique and showbiz magic behind them for the tabloid-ridden stars of today to compete with. However, based on what's out there today, Clooney and Jones make a delicious, gorgeous pair. In this frothy, sometimes manic production, Clooney stars as an ace divorce attorney. So successful is he that he can turn around even the most airtight cases. Yet he has it all and is bored. After he pulls the rug out from under one of his clients' wives (Jones), she sets out to exact revenge upon him. The two play a cat and mouse game of I-got-you and you-got-me, with their actual feelings occasionally rising to the surface.
Clooney is charm epitomized. His jaw-dropping good looks are actually beginning to show minor signs of wear (check out his cheek pores in that opening teeth cleaning sequence and note the onset of wrinkles and rasp in the voice -- though he still looks like a god in kind lighting), but thankfully, he's become such a decent actor that he should have no problem continuing a strong career. In this, he is comparable to Cary Grant, who remained attractive right up until his death. Unfortunately, he doesn't have QUITE the skill that Grant had, but he'll do. (Some of the lingo and jargon that Clooney has to emit looks and sounds like it's over his head.)
Jones is astonishing. She has, without question, that old time glamour and the finely honed talent to carry her roles. Her face, clothes, hair...everything is stunning. Together, the two are blisteringly attractive and charismatic. The supporting cast is great here with Rush (in a surprisingly tiny role) hamming it up well and Thornton presenting another one of his oddball characterizations. Also of note are Cedric the Entertainer who is less annoying than expected and especially Adelstein as Clooney's adoring, sentimental cohort. (And it's fun to see Duffy get a big screen role which beautifully utilizes her brittle, nose-in-the-air persona.) One of the funniest and most shocking moments in the film comes courtesy of Keyes who plays an asthmatic hit man. The whole film is peppered with odd little characterizations, some funny, some intriguing, some just bizarre. (The diner waitress is hysterical. The hunky pool man is perfect. Clooney's boss is unintelligible and just plain weird.) The film seems to take place in it's own little world, which can sometimes be quite different from the one the rest of the audience lives in. The quirkiness and farcical nature of the film occasionally threaten to cross it over into Zucker brothers territory, but ultimately it keeps it's feet on the ground. A couple of familiar or dull moments can't dampen the spirit of the whole. The stars are deliriously attractive, the story has a few surprises along the way and the film is very easy on the eyes and often entertaining to the ear. There's also a delightful title sequence inspired by vintage Valentine cards.
A Hit for the Coen Brothers
posted on 16 May 2009The Coen brothers are a very hit-or-miss film-making team. Either I love their movies ("Fargo," "Blood Simple," "The Man Who Wasn't There") or I hate them ("The Big Lebowski, "O Brother, Where Art Thou?"). O.k., so I didn't necessarily love "Intolerable Cruelty," but it does qualify as a hit for me. It's a refreshingly unpredictable comedy, sort of a dark homage to the screwball comedies of the 30's and 40's. I could see Cary Grant and Irene Dunne doing this film, or William Powell and Myrna Loy. I think George Clooney is a pretty bland actor, but I can admit that he's got charm, which is all this role really calls for. Catherine Zeta-Jones will probably reveal herself to be a fairly limited actress by the time all is said and done, but she's sexy as hell, which is all HER role really calls for. So, these two work together just fine.The only quibbles I have with the movie are the one or two instances where it falls back on that slapstick humour that the Coen brothers tend to overdo, but these are minor quibbles. Overall, this one is a winner.Grade: A-
maybe its only me, but...
posted on 02 May 2009i love movies...but i really didn't enjoyed this movie. when i and some friends went to see this movie in the cinema, i really really didn't liked it. there was totally no humor in it. OK we have George Clooney and lovely Catherine Zeta-Jones,...(for the actors, George was good in ocean eleven, and ER, and Catherine was great in Zorro, entrapment. But in this movie, their performance was just bad, this movie is just not their style. and i hope that George and Catherine never play in this kind of movie again ) BUT no offence for the creators, but there was NO humor in it. there was maybe One Scene in the movie that supposed to be funny, when the guy shoot himself instead of giving him the asthma thing. that supposed to be funny? i DO like romantic comedies, but this one is really terrible. no amusement, no story (totally ridiculous), not a good movie, unless if you are really bored...this is really the worst movie i ever have seen.
Pretty Tepid Work From The Usually Hot Coens
posted on 18 Apr 2009INTOLERABLE CRUELTY (2+ outta 5 stars) This is one of those infrequent Coen Brothers movies that just does not work for me. Sure, it has all the quirky little touches that the Bros love to put in their work... but the framework of the movie just doesn't hold up. The movie starts off well enough... with Geoffrey Rush singing along to Simon and Garfunkel... and George Clooney's obsession with his teeth (not quite as funny as his hair obsession in "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" but still amusing). Unfortunately the "humor" in the movie's infidelity subplots (husband comes home unexpectedly to find wife alone with pool man, man and mistress futilely try to cover themselves when a photographer suddenly bursts into their hotel room) is just so OLD and TIRED! George Clooney and Catherine Zeta-Jones do work well together. They have great screen chemistry... but the script doesn't really give them much reason to fall so desperately in love. Moreover, I don't think there's anyone who won't see every plot twist coming a mile away. Still, there are a couple of funny lines and the movie is not a total loss. It's just too... ordinary... to be a *true* Coen Brothers movie. Best line: "You fffffffascinate me."
Wickedly Funny!
posted on 22 Aug 2009I found this film to be one of the best of the Coen Brothers films. George Clooney and Catherine Zeta-Jones chemistry sizzles on screen. The cast of charactors are as bizarre and screamingly funny as the Coen Brothers intended them to be. It does harken back to the days of the screwball comedies. It was wonderful entertainment and I had a great time seeing this film.