Intolerable Cruelty
Intolerable Cruelty

Intolerable Cruelty

2003Movie100 minEnglish

A revenge-seeking gold digger marries a womanizing Beverly Hills lawyer with the intention of making a killing in the divorce.

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Insights

IMDb6.0/10
Rotten Tomatoes74%
Metacritic70/100
Google Users68%
Director: Joel Coen, Ethan CoenGenres: Comedy, Romance, Crime

Plot Summary

Miles Massey, a slick Los Angeles divorce attorney, is known for his impeccable record of winning cases for his wealthy clients. His life takes an unexpected turn when he encounters Marilyn Hamilton, a beautiful and cunning woman who becomes his client's ex-wife. As they engage in a high-stakes legal and personal battle, they find themselves irresistibly drawn to each other, leading to a comedic and chaotic game of cat and mouse.

Critical Reception

Intolerable Cruelty received mixed reviews from critics. While some praised the Coen brothers' signature wit and the performances of the lead actors, others found the film to be a departure from their usual style, lacking the depth and originality of their previous works. The chemistry between Clooney and Zeta-Jones was often highlighted as a positive aspect, but the plot was sometimes seen as too conventional for the directors.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its sharp dialogue and the comedic chemistry between George Clooney and Catherine Zeta-Jones.
  • Some critics felt it was a lighter, more mainstream effort for the Coen brothers, deviating from their more idiosyncratic style.
  • The film's slick production and romantic comedy elements were generally well-received, though not universally.

Google audience: Google users generally found 'Intolerable Cruelty' to be an entertaining romantic comedy, appreciating the star power of George Clooney and Catherine Zeta-Jones and the witty script. However, some viewers felt it was a bit predictable and not as sharp as other Coen brothers' films.

Fun Fact

The film was originally conceived as a vehicle for Billy Bob Thornton and Julia Roberts before George Clooney and Catherine Zeta-Jones were cast.

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