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==Plot==
==Plot==
Donovan Donaly ([[Geoffrey Rush]]) comes home unexpectedly early to find his wife Bonnie ([[Stacey Travis]]) with her ex-boyfriend, Ollie (Jack Kyle). Miles Massey ([[George Clooney]]), a top divorce [[Lawyer|attorney]] and the inventor of the "Massey Pre-nup", a completely foolproof [[prenuptial agreement]], becomes Bonnie's lawyer. He is victorious in the divorce case, leaving Donovan with nothing. Meanwhile, Rex Rexroth ([[Edward Herrmann]]) is having a [[sexual roleplaying]] session with a blonde in a motel room when a [[private investigator]] named Gus Petch ([[Cedric The Entertainer]]) bursts in and records everything with a video camera. He takes the video to Rex's wife, Marylin Rexroth ([[Catherine Zeta-Jones]]), who married Rex solely to obtain wealth and independence via a divorce. Rex hires Miles. Marylin learns from her friend, a wealthy fellow serial divorcée named Sarah Sorkin ([[Julia Duffy]]), that Miles is a dangerous opponent.
Donovan Donaly ([[Geoffrey Rush]]) a TV [[soap opera]] producer, comes home unexpectedly early and finds his wife Bonnie ([[Stacey Travis]]) with her ex-boyfriend, Ollie (Jack Kyle). Bonnie hires Miles Massey ([[George Clooney]]), a top divorce [[Lawyer|attorney]] and the inventor of the "Massey Pre-nup", a completely foolproof [[prenuptial agreement]]. Miles wins the divorce case, leaving Donovan with nothing.


[[Private investigator]] Gus Petch ([[Cedric The Entertainer] is tailing the wealthy and married Rex Rexroth ([[Edward Herrmann]] on a drunken night out with a blonde. When they stop at a motel, Gus bursts in and tapes them with a video camera. He takes the evidence of infidelity to Rex's wife, Marylin Rexroth ([[Catherine Zeta-Jones]]), whose primary motivation is obtaining wealth and independence via divorce. Rex hires Miles; and Marylin's friend, a serial divorcée named Sarah Sorkin ([[Julia Duffy]]), explains that Miles is a dangerous opponent.
After Marylin and her lawyer, Freddy Bender ([[Richard Jenkins]]), fail to reach a settlement with Miles and Rex, Miles asks Marylin to dinner, where they spar. Miles hires Gus to steal some information for him. In court, Miles has a concierge named Heinz, the Baron Krauss von Espy ([[Jonathan Hadary]]) testify that Marylin asked him several years ago to find her a rich, easily-manipulated husband. As a result, Marylin winds up with nothing. Miles's aged boss, Herb Myerson ([[Tom Aldredge]]), congratulates Miles on his fine work. Marylin wants revenge and gets it with the help of broke soap producer Donaly, whom she finds living on the street clutching his Emmy statuette. Soon after, Marylin shows up at Miles's office with her new fiancé, an oil millionaire named Howard D. Doyle ([[Billy Bob Thornton]]). Though Marylin insists Doyle sign the Massey Prenup, he destroys it during the wedding as a demonstration of his love. A few months later, Marylin divorces Howard and receives the "Doyle Oil fortune".


Marylin and her lawyer, Freddy Bender ([[Richard Jenkins]]), fail to reach an agreement with Miles and Rex. Miles asks the fascinating Marylin to dinner, where they flirt. In court, Miles gets the Baron Krauss von Espy ([[Jonathan Hadary]]) to testify that some time before, Marylin had asked him to point out a man she could marry who was very rich, easily manipulated, and likely to be unfaithful. Marylin winds up with no settlement, and Miles's aged boss, Herb Myerson ([[Tom Aldredge]]), congratulates Miles on his fine work.
Marylin later bumps into Miles in [[Las Vegas, Nevada]], where he is the keynote speaker at a convention of divorce attorneys. They discover that they both are lonely people despite their wealth. Miles marries her on the spur of the moment. He insists on signing the Massey Prenup to show that he is not doing it for her money, but she tears it up. He announces at the convention that he is abandoning divorce suits in favor of [[pro-bono]] work in [[East Los Angeles (region)|East Los Angeles]]. Miles soon discovers that Howard D. Doyle is in fact just an actor from one of Donaly's [[soap opera]]s. Marylin has tricked him and now ''his'' wealth is at risk. Miles' boss is most displeased with this turn of events and demands that something be done to save the firm's fearsome reputation. He refers Miles to a hitman named Wheezy Joe ([[Irwin Keyes]]). But when Miles learns that Marylin's ex-husband Rex has died of a heart attack, leaving her millions because he never changed his will, Miles rushes to save his wife. Marylin is in no danger - her rottweiler guard dogs have Wheezy Joe surrounded and she offers to pay him double to switch sides. When Miles and his assistant Wrigley arrive, they are confronted by the hit man. In the confusion of the ensuing struggle, Wheezy Joe mistakes his gun for his asthma inhaler, and shoots himself in the head. Later, Miles and Marylin meet to negotiate their divorce. Miles pleads for a second chance and retroactively signs a Massey Pre-nup. She tears it up, and they kiss. Marylin tells Miles that she has suggested an idea to Donaly for a TV show, and Gus Petch becomes the host of ''America's Funniest Divorce Videos''.

Marylin wants revenge, and finds broke soap-producer Donaly, living on the street clutching his Emmy statuette. Soon after, Marylin shows up at Miles's office with a person she says is her new fiancé, an oil millionaire named Howard D. Doyle ([[Billy Bob Thornton]]). Marylin insists Doyle sign the Massey Prenup, but Miles see him destroys it during the wedding in a demonstration of his love.

Visiting [[Las Vegas, Nevada|Las Vegas]] to give the keynote address at a convention for divorce attorneys, Miles bumps into Marylin, who explains she has divorced Howard and received the vast Doyle Oil fortune, but us now disenchanted with her lonely life. Miles is thrilled, and marries her on the spur of the moment. He signs the Massey Prenup, but she tears it up. The next morning he announces at the convention that love is most important, and that he is abandoning divorce suits in favor of [[pro-bono]] work.

Then Miles discovers that "Howard D. Doyle" was just an actor from one of Donaly's [[soap opera]]s. Marylin has tricked him, and now ''his'' wealth is at risk. Miles' boss is displeased with this turn of events and demands that something be done to save the firm's fearsome reputation. He suggests the hitman Wheezy Joe ([[Irwin Keyes]]), who Miles hires to kill Marilyn.

Miles then learns that Marylin's ex-husband Rex has died without changing his will, leaving her millions. Miles rushes to save his wife, but Marilyn has already agreed to pay the hit man double to kill Miles instead. Miles and Wrigley struggle with the hit man, and in the confusion Wheezy Joe mistakes his gun for his asthma inhaler, and shoots himself in the head.

Later, Miles, Marylin and their lawyers meet to negotiate a divorce. Miles pleads for a second chance and retroactively signs a Massey Pre-nup. She tears it up, and they kiss. Marylin tells Miles that she has suggested an idea to Donaly for a TV show, and Gus Petch becomes the host of ''America's Funniest Divorce Videos''.


==Cast==
==Cast==

Revision as of 21:06, 5 July 2014

Intolerable Cruelty
Man in a grey suit, standing beside a woman in a red dress.
Theatrical release poster
Directed byJoel Coen
Ethan Coen (uncredited)
Screenplay by
  • Robert Ramsay
  • Matthew Stone
  • Ethan Coen
  • Joel Coen
Story by
  • Robert Ramsay
  • Matthew Stone
  • John Romano
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyRoger Deakins
Edited byJoel Coen
Ethan Coen
(as Roderick Jaynes)
Music byCarter Burwell
Production
companies
Distributed byUniversal Studios
Release date
  • October 10, 2003 (2003-10-10)
Running time
100 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$60 million[1]
Box office$120,217,409[2]

Intolerable Cruelty is a 2003 romantic black comedy film about divorce and lawyers. It was co-written, produced, edited and, directed by Joel and Ethan Coen and stars George Clooney, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Geoffrey Rush, Billy Bob Thornton, Cedric the Entertainer, and Paul Adelstein. The film was released by Universal Pictures.

Plot

Donovan Donaly (Geoffrey Rush) a TV soap opera producer, comes home unexpectedly early and finds his wife Bonnie (Stacey Travis) with her ex-boyfriend, Ollie (Jack Kyle). Bonnie hires Miles Massey (George Clooney), a top divorce attorney and the inventor of the "Massey Pre-nup", a completely foolproof prenuptial agreement. Miles wins the divorce case, leaving Donovan with nothing.

Private investigator Gus Petch ([[Cedric The Entertainer] is tailing the wealthy and married Rex Rexroth (Edward Herrmann on a drunken night out with a blonde. When they stop at a motel, Gus bursts in and tapes them with a video camera. He takes the evidence of infidelity to Rex's wife, Marylin Rexroth (Catherine Zeta-Jones), whose primary motivation is obtaining wealth and independence via divorce. Rex hires Miles; and Marylin's friend, a serial divorcée named Sarah Sorkin (Julia Duffy), explains that Miles is a dangerous opponent.

Marylin and her lawyer, Freddy Bender (Richard Jenkins), fail to reach an agreement with Miles and Rex. Miles asks the fascinating Marylin to dinner, where they flirt. In court, Miles gets the Baron Krauss von Espy (Jonathan Hadary) to testify that some time before, Marylin had asked him to point out a man she could marry who was very rich, easily manipulated, and likely to be unfaithful. Marylin winds up with no settlement, and Miles's aged boss, Herb Myerson (Tom Aldredge), congratulates Miles on his fine work.

Marylin wants revenge, and finds broke soap-producer Donaly, living on the street clutching his Emmy statuette. Soon after, Marylin shows up at Miles's office with a person she says is her new fiancé, an oil millionaire named Howard D. Doyle (Billy Bob Thornton). Marylin insists Doyle sign the Massey Prenup, but Miles see him destroys it during the wedding in a demonstration of his love.

Visiting Las Vegas to give the keynote address at a convention for divorce attorneys, Miles bumps into Marylin, who explains she has divorced Howard and received the vast Doyle Oil fortune, but us now disenchanted with her lonely life. Miles is thrilled, and marries her on the spur of the moment. He signs the Massey Prenup, but she tears it up. The next morning he announces at the convention that love is most important, and that he is abandoning divorce suits in favor of pro-bono work.

Then Miles discovers that "Howard D. Doyle" was just an actor from one of Donaly's soap operas. Marylin has tricked him, and now his wealth is at risk. Miles' boss is displeased with this turn of events and demands that something be done to save the firm's fearsome reputation. He suggests the hitman Wheezy Joe (Irwin Keyes), who Miles hires to kill Marilyn.

Miles then learns that Marylin's ex-husband Rex has died without changing his will, leaving her millions. Miles rushes to save his wife, but Marilyn has already agreed to pay the hit man double to kill Miles instead. Miles and Wrigley struggle with the hit man, and in the confusion Wheezy Joe mistakes his gun for his asthma inhaler, and shoots himself in the head.

Later, Miles, Marylin and their lawyers meet to negotiate a divorce. Miles pleads for a second chance and retroactively signs a Massey Pre-nup. She tears it up, and they kiss. Marylin tells Miles that she has suggested an idea to Donaly for a TV show, and Gus Petch becomes the host of America's Funniest Divorce Videos.

Cast

Production

Intolerable Cruelty's screenplay was written by Robert Ramsey and Matt Stone and then refashioned by the Coen Brothers in the mid 1990s. Initially the screenplay was attached to Ron Howard and then Jonathan Demme, who had planned to cast Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant in the lead roles.[3] After their planned film of James Dickey's novel To The White Sea fell through, the Coens signed on to direct.[3]

Reception

The film received positive reviews from critics. Rotten Tomatoes gives the film a "Certified Fresh" score of 75% based on reviews from 180 critics.[4] Metacritic gives a weighted average score of 71% based on reviews from 40 critics.

Soundtrack

Untitled
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic
Movie Music UK[5]
SoundtrackNet[6]

Intolerable Cruelty is scored by Carter Burwell, in his tenth collaboration with the Coen Brothers.

The soundtrack album features a variety pop songs and cues from Burwell's score. "The Boxer", first by Simon and Garfunkel and then as covered by Colin Linden, opens and closes the album. A Canadian blues musician, Linden had previously participated in Down from the Mountain, a live performance of music from the Coens' O Brother, Where Art Thou?, and he performs several songs in the film. Other songs include "Suspicious Minds" by Elvis Presley, "Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien" by Édith Piaf and "Glory of Love" by Big Bill Broonzy.

Tracks by Carter Burwell unless otherwise noted.
  1. "The Boxer" (Simon and Garfunkel) – 5:09
  2. "Intolerable Mambo – 1:41
  3. "Suspicious Minds" (Elvis Presley) – 4:33
  4. "Hanky Panky Choo Choo" – 2:07
  5. "Don't Cry Out Loud" (Melissa Manchester) – 3:48
  6. "Feels So Good" (Chuck Mangione) – 9:42
  7. "You Fascinate Me" – 1:40
  8. "April Come She Will" (written by Paul Simon, performed by Colin Linden) – 0:59
  9. "Heather 2 Honeymoon" – 1:39
  10. "If I Only Knew" (Tom Jones) – 4:18
  11. "Love Is Good" – 3:26
  12. "Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien" (Édith Piaf) – 2:21
  13. "No More Working" – 3:01
  14. "Fully Exposed" – 1:46
  15. "Glory of Love" (Big Bill Broonzy) – 2:20
  16. "The Boxer" (Colin Linden) – 2:20

References

  1. ^ Intolerable Cruelty: The Numbers
  2. ^ "Intolerable Cruelty (2003)". Box Office Mojo.
  3. ^ a b Walters, Ben (November 2003). "Bringing up alimony". Sight and Sound. 13 (11). British Film Institute (BFI): 30. ISSN 0037-4806. {{cite journal}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  4. ^ http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/intolerable_cruelty/
  5. ^ Moviemusicuk.us
  6. ^ Soundtrack.net
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