MovieChat Forums > Intolerable Cruelty (2003) Discussion > I have to say, and I'm sure I'll get fla...

I have to say, and I'm sure I'll get flamed for this...

posted 20 years ago by Otis-9
88 replies | jump to latest

But this movie seriously gets better and better every time I see it. It's simply hilarious, and although it's different (I don't mean better or worse) than the Coen's other films, it's still a damn fine movie. Every time it has been on lately I try to make sure I catch at least a few minutes. This movie would be nothing without Clooney, whose razor sharp delivery of lines and amusing facial expressions completely made this movie work. Some great, GREAT quotable lines too...

"Freddy, are you NUTS? You're forgetting about Kershner!"
"Baby Field Greens" "What did you call me??"
"Heinz, the Baron Krauss von Espy"
"She Specificated a -SILLY- man..."
"I told him it was a no go..."
"Everybody likes berries"

I could go on and on, but I won't. I just wanted to say that I thought this movie was great, just as good as any of their other films. People seem to REALLY hate Clooney, though, no matter what he's in, which I just don't understand. He's not the amusing painter from the Facts of Life anymore, people!

[–] karenmcmahon 19 years ago

this movie seriously gets better and better every time I see it.

This is a trait of all Coen movies.

This has been particularly true for me with both of the Coen movies I love: O Brother, Where Art Thou? and Raising Arizona. On first viewing I liked neither of them, but now I love Raising Arizona and consider O Brother... my favorite film. In fact, this is one reason that I consider Oh Brother... such a great film: it is a rewatchable comedy. Most comedies seem like jokes that might be hillarious at first telling but, aren't funny on second telling.

Of all Coen movies (I have not seen Blood Simple and have only finished part of Barton Fink), I think that the only two I liked on the first viewing were Miller's Crossing and The Man Who Wasn't There. Well, maybe Hudsucker. However, even these three seem to get better when I rewatch them.

[–] 19 years ago

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[–] 19 years ago

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[–] YoBadAzizi84 19 years ago

I thought this movie was so weird the first time I saw it, and I didn't laugh, but I watched some of it again last night and I thought it was hilarious. So, I agree with the original poster.

[–] bp_mcmahon 19 years ago

Like Raising Arizona, it took a couple tries for this movie to get me to laugh out loud. Since then, however, I can't bring myself to miss it. Ditto Oh Brother (but I loved that one immediately-- the music alone is reason to watch). Like all Coen Bros. flix, it's layered.

Clooney in a Coen Bros. comedy should never be missed. Here's hoping for more to come. Clooney's expressions are priceless, particularly after his speech at NOMAN.

My favorite line, I think, comes from the first meeting with the breathing-impaired assassin: "Are you... Weezy Joe?" Friggin' hilarious. Also, "You've reached Weezy Joe," on his answering machine. I don't know why, but I split up each time I hear it.

p.s.-- I've no relation to karenmcmahon at all.

[–] KrimSteve 19 years ago

Completely agree as a Coen brothers fan and am very glad to see how many also agree.

[–] Turver 19 years ago

karenmcmahon wrote:

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this movie seriously gets better and better every time I see it.
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This is a trait of all Coen movies.

Quoted for Truth.

I saw part of Intolerable Cruelty last Wednesday, and I liked it better than the first time. I think it has to do with the fact that every Coen movie is filled with funny side plots (the senior in the firm) and fantastic side characters (the baron Krauss von Espy).

Same with e.g. The Hudsucker Proxy: The beatnik club

Martinis are for squares, man!

, the mail room orientation

they DOCK you!

, the scene in the diner, commented by the two taxi drivers

Enter the dame!;
-maybe he's wise? -he don't look wise.

, etc.

[–] cuttingedgenyc 19 years ago

I am completely, completely with you. This is one of my favorite, and most hilarious, repeat viewing movies. The Baron Krauss von Espy and the old senior partner in the basement of the law firm never fail to make me laugh!

I kind of wonder if it is more funny to lawyers - because so much of it is really only a comically exaggerated way that lawyers actually do act. I am glad to see so many people who appreciate it here!

[–] marilynn25 19 years ago

I loved this movie, too. I didn't like it much the first time I watched it, just as with "Oh, Brother," but it grew on me, as with all the Coen Brothers movies. There's just so many things happening in the movie, that I kept remembering little things about it, little off-the-wall details, and eventually I had to watch it again just to see if that little quirky thing really did happen and why. Then I got to understanding the dialog more, and then liking the characters more and understanding where they're coming from. Then I was hooked. Now it's one of my favorite romantic comedies. But I thought the funniest part wasn't any of the romantic interchanges between Myles and Marylin, but was with the old lawyer, the founder of the firm--ohmyGod. Gruesome!! You could just see Miles shuddering and wondering if that was what he himself would become some day if he kept on with his work.

[–] ijonesiii 19 years ago

I must admit I found this movie to be an unexpected surprise from beginning to end...thanks primarily to a razor sharp performance from George Clooney as an acid-tongued lawyer and a sexy, stylish, and venemous turn from Catherine Zeta-Jones as the ultimate golddigger. This movie was a lot of fun and I can't wait to see it again.

[–] ijonesiii 19 years ago

I've only seen this once but I can't wait to see it again because something tells me it's one of those movies that improves with multiple viewings. I have never enjoyed Clooney more onscreen and I have enjoyed him a lot.

[–] 19 years ago

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[–] amos_mcelhone 19 years ago

I completely agree with you. Intolerable Cruelty is a great film, and Clooney delivers a great performance.

Amos McElhone

[–] Isaac5855 18 years ago

Clooney was great in this, wasn't he? I mean I expected it to be another cookie-cutter, smarmy sex comedy, but this was a really funny, entertaining fil;m, anchored by a flawless comic performance by George Clooney.

[–] robsinden 19 years ago

I just picked up a copy of the DVD cheap as I love Coen Bros movies and hadn't got round to this one yet and wasn't expecting too much from it. Having read what everyone has to say on this, I'm now thoroughly looking forward to it.

I'd also like to say how impressed I am with the quality of the posts on the subject!

[–] phdzulu 18 years ago

I am half-way through this film, on the third viewing, and I am laughing so hard it is thrilling. I just had to check out if anyone else appreciated this fantastic comedy that throbs with the beat of the 1940s Preston Sturges patter and low it turns out I am not alone with admiration. I have never seen George Clooney in anything better. Catherine ZJ-D looks great and tops herself in anything other film across genre. LOVE IT!!

“When a man gets too fancy, his luck runs out.” Raymond Chandler.