Movie reviews: Hail, Caesar!

Eddie Mannix is a 1950's Hollywood fixer tasked with keeping the film stars out of trouble and filming running on time. But when a group of frustrated scriptwriters kidnap one of the stars Eddie may have to work some overtime.

Josh Brolin (Eddie), George Clooney (Baird), Alden Ehrenreich (Hobie), Ralph Fiennes (Laurentz), Scarlett Johansson (DeeAnna), Tilda Swinton (Thora/Thessaly), Channing Tatum (Burt), Veronica Osorio (Carlotta).

Hail, Caesar! Begins well enough with a few laughs at the beginning as a few characters are introduced and we get a feel for what Eddie's job is really all about. From there the film begins to jump around and look almost schizophrenic as it moves between sets and scenes that are not explained well at all. Being this is a Coen Brothers production we expected the quasi-intellectual humor but despite the good looking previews, this one failed to connect with the audience at all.

Acting should have been absolutely amazing given the cast here. Instead the big names were hardly used, but did nicely when they were. Brolin ended up trying to carry the film and as usual, just can't seem to deliver well enough emotionally to connect with the audience as a lead. Newcomer Ehrenreich did nicely, and Tatum was a nice surprise.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds were widely varied and interesting, in a 1950's way. Action scenes were mild but okay. Dialogue was mediocre with much of the humor missing the mark completely and plot movement feeling forced. Sound and soundtrack were decent.

When all is said and done Hail, Caesar! Fails to do anything well. The humor misses the mark repeatedly, the all-star cast is largely missing, and the plot is less than interesting. Pass on this one, even if you are impressed by the cast and direction.

Nothing much here to limit audience age.

Released: 2016
Reviewed: 10.26.16
Star rating: 1 out of 5
Genre: Mystery, Comedy, Musicals, Comedy Musicals

copyright ©2016 Dave Riedel