The Cohen Brothers are Back: “Hail, Caesar!”

The Cohen brothers are back in action with their newest film in their impressive resume “Hail, Caesar!” Josh Brolin, George Clooney and a lengthy list of star studded actors are playing actors in the in this love letter to 1950’s cinema. “Hail, Caesar!” is about a star actor being kidnapped by one of the extras on set to an mystery group who go by “the future” as Josh Brolin and company try to save him before the press gets word of it. Much like  Tarantino’s “Hateful Eight,” the Cohen brothers do an excellent job capturing the realism of what the film industry was like in that time period.

In all honesty, I was really confused throughout the whole movie as to what was the main storyline that they were trying to focus on throughout the movie, as different plot lines are scattered throughout the movie at random points. This movie did an excellent job with its humor with a sprinkling of jokes here and there to get the audience laughing. I, along with the rest of the audience in the theater, thought the funniest parts of the movie weren’t the main jokes the directors were telling, but the little moments where the actors got to show off their hidden talents.

I have to say the scene I was most impressed and entertained with was a choreographed tap dancing scene with Channing Tatum, when the number concluded the theater erupted in applause which was a heartwarming reaction to the actor’s effort.

“Hail, Caesar!” definitely has it’s flaws, like shots that seemed to go on without any sort of substance, it reminded me of the occasional “Saturday Night Live” sketches that no one really laughs at, and everyone is watching the clock to see when it ends.

In the end I think “Hail, Caesar!” is a good movie produced by the Cohen brothers that feels like a glorified Wes Anderson film. Keep moderate to low expectations and you will enjoy this movie. I would give Hail, Caesar 2.5/5 stars!