Intolerable Cruelty (2003)

Thanks for the memories!

Good start, but then it gets ruined

Good movie but grossly overrated

I wanted to like it more than I actually did... But much of the humor totally escaped me and I walked out only mildly impressed.

A very naïve and undeveloped story, acceptable only by a 13-year-old girl. Would it have killed them to work on the plot for another year making it more believable, more entertaining?The acting isn't that good either, so don't be fooled by the names. Catherine Zeta Jones is awful, not that hot and her acting reminded me of the fart smelling technique of Joey Tribbiani's. George Clooney is OK; I loved Billy Bob Thornton though.For a black comedy it's neither that black nor that funny; and not worth watching at all.

Intolerable Cruelty (2003): Dir: Ethan Coen, Joel Coen / Cast: George Clooney, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Billy Bob Thornton, Geoffrey Rush, Cedric the Entertainer: Dark comedy that dances between humour and drama. It contains the wit viewers expect from a Coen brothers film but it hardly compares to superior films such as Blood Simple and The Big Lebowski. George Clooney plays a successful divorce attorney and Catherine Zeta-Jones is the latest victim whose husband was caught on camera having an affair. Clooney brought victory to her husband yet she soon marries a millionaire and he sees it as a scam for his money. Very clever but the conclusion is unconvincing due to trust. Joel and Ethan Coen score again thanks to Clooney's charm and Zeta-Jones's unreadable seduction. However, are viewers to believe that this relationship will actually survive? Supporting roles had potential but they are either seldom seen or not necessary. Billy Bob Thornton is underused as the millionaire. Geoffrey Rush as an irate husband is funny yet unnecessary. Cedric the Entertainer is featured as a private investigator out nosing around. Plus his court herring brings more sorrow than humour. On one hand the film features the Coen wit but on the other the humour doesn't excel. Theme questions relationships and trust on the bounds of toleration. Score: 7 / 10

I remember the first time I saw this movie, I was at my Mother's home for a visit. I was surprised to see that it was done by the Coen Bros. because at first glance the DVDs cover just makes it look like some Rom-Com chick flick which was probably why my Mother had rented it I would guess. Well it wasn't exactly her cup of tea but I thought it was down right side splitting, and humor that only the Coe-bros. can dream up and bring to life on the big screen. The more I watch it the better it gets. To me (and many others of course) the Coen Bros. can simply do no wrong and this one is another shining example of why we hold that opinion and why we have been such big fans of this dynamic duo of film making. The acting is superb throughout, the directing and editing are equally perfect and the story is interesting and totally unique, you're not gonna find a romantic comedy with so many great characters and such fast paced dialog. The subtle tongue in cheek jokes come one after the other. For me it's just a great example of how talented the Coen's are and how every movie they give us should be something to celebrate as movie fans. I love the "Big Lebowski" and it's one of my all time favorite films (not just Coen films) but "Intolerable Cruelty" is right up there with the cult classic and what makes them both so great is that they are both films that can get better every time you watch them. Even if u know damn near every line u will find something new with each viewing. To me that's what often makes a great movie and what makes "Intolerable Cruelty" exactly that. Bravo Coen's, Bravo! You truly are the best in the business.

This is a comedy and nothing else, but a comedy about the worst tragedy imaginable: the exploitation of marriage by social climbing women who marry rich men only to divorce them later with a very comfortable alimony or settlement, or even more and worse than that: a fully naked stripping court order, the type of court order in which you have to borrow a bath towel from the concierge or plain night warden to be able to run to your taxi without being arrested.Imagine one of the best divorce attorneys in the field who destroys the claim of one of these ladies in court by demonstrating, one key witness in the stand, that the lady is nothing but a marriage bounty huntress, and then there he is falling in love with her, marrying her on a whim, with the best pre-nup contract you can imagine, tearing it up just after the wedding, confronting her for the divorce and falling in love again in the confrontation in the lawyer's office and this time she destroys the pre-nup.Don't try to see anything subtle or deep in that. Love is unpredictable and no one can live forever without love, even someone as cold as the iceberg that sank the Titanic or as calculating as a world class chess player. But I must say it is so funny to see all divorce procedures, out of court or in court, ridiculed and being made fun of. It is true that's what they deserve. But even so, man, marriage is a sacred institution, isn't it?But do not try to have nightmares on such a film. That is absolutely impossible.Dr Jacques COULARDEAU