Intolerable Cruelty

The Coens are back with another impeccably cast and written comedy. This time they tackle the genre of screwball comedy, with the formidable help of stars Clooney and Zeta-Jones. He is Miles Massey, an unbeatable divorce attorney, and she's Marilyn Rexroth, a gold-digging serial divorcee. They meet when Miles is hired by Marilyn's soon-to-be-ex, Rex, who's been caught cheating but doesn't want to pay up. When Miles beats her out of her settlement, they begin a dance of mutual attraction and escalating acts of...well, you know. In addition to the genuine movie-star spark of the leads, plenty of hilarious supporting characters inhabit the Coens' over-the-top L.A. landscape. Film's fascination with the characters' charming amorality results in great moments, but contributes to a weak ending by draining the warmth that the romance portion requires.