Intolerable Cruelty

  Plot Summary

Miles Massey (George Clooney) is an attorney who specialises in divorce settlements, or more correctly, specialises in ensuring that his clients get to keep the assets! No matter which partner is at fault, smooth talking Massey manages to protect his clients from being taken to the cleaners. His latest client, Rexroth, is a multi-millionaire who has been caught fooling around. Against the odds, Massey sets himself the challenge of making sure Rexroth's wife gets nothing from the divorce settlement. Roxroth's beautiful wife, Marylin (Catherine Zeta Jones) won't give up without a fight. Across the negotiating table a few sultry looks from Marylin catch the attention of Miles Massey...

Review

There is a cynical sense of humour running through this romantic comedy which makes it a little different from the usual over-sentimental movies of its kind. With Joel Coen as director and Ethan Coen as one of the screenwriters there would have to be, as with many of their movies, a little cynicism. When it comes to pre-nuptial agreements and divorce settlements there is little trust. The first rule of marriage for the wealthier partner is to protect your assets and when it comes to divorce settlements, 'compromise' and 'fairness' are words that should never be uttered. Get yourself a good attorney!

The humour is very witty in parts and in other parts it has a slapstick element. This makes the movie a little uneven. There are also some dull moments where the humour and story lag a little. Nonetheless, it is the very funny parts in this imperfect movie that make it worthwhile.

Two things going for this movie are George Clooney and Catherine Zeta Jones; names that bring a bit of Hollywood glamour and sparkle. George Clooney has the bigger role and gets most of the funnier parts and lines. Catherine Zeta Jones is radiant. She plays, Marylin Rexroth, the scorned wife and she is sultry and flirtatious, yet cold and calculating. In spite of their distrust of each other, Marylin and Miles are attracted to each other but it is almost a profession fascination as the battle of wits starts.

The Bottom Line: A little slow and uneven at times but its different and very funny in parts.

Reviewed by Niall Quinn, Premier Movie Reviews 2003

Genre: Romantic Comedy

Certificate: 12

Director: Joel Coen

~ Main Cast ~

George Clooney

Catherine Zeta-Jones

Paul Adelstein

Billy Bob Thornton

Geoffrey Rush

RATING

WORTH A WATCH