Intolerable Cruelty (2003)

Brief: A bored divorce lawyer (George Clooney) falls for the soon-to-be-ex wife (Catherine Zeta-Jones) of his philandering client (Edward Herrmann). Although he initially finds her attractive, it isn't until he realizes what a creative gold-digger she is that she actually piques his interest.

The whole time I watched this move, I sighed, "Oh, Coens" in a delighted way. That said, if you don't like the Coens (freak!) or if you don't prepare yourself going into the movie by knowing and accepting that this is a Coen movie, then you aren't going to like it, and you might not get it. Not get it, you ask? But it's a romantic comedy? What's to get? Well, dear reader, that would be the purpose of Coen movies. They require you to suspend reality and move into their magical and sometimes frightening little world. Don't say I didn't warn you.

Clooney, having worked with the Coens before (O Brother, where art thou?), blazes on the screen with Zeta-Jones. He seems to be attempting a cross between Clooney and Jimmy Stewart under Frank Capra's direction, but it all works out. Any of the bumps are quickly put out whenever he and Zeta-Jones share the screen - white hot chemistry. White hot.

Of course, the more scheming Zeta-Jones gets, the more charming and desirable she becomes. Perfectly costumed, lighted, and made-up, Zeta-Jones becomes the object of anyone's affection that she chooses. Good for her.

Alright, this isn't the Coens best work. It's also not the best romantic comedy I have ever seen. It is, however, Coen through and through, and, if you are a fan, you'll get a real kick out of this feature.