Okay, compared to the average film this certainly is NOT conventional. But compared to many of the wilder and weirder Coen Brothers films (such as THE HUDSUCKER PROXY or RAISING ARIZONA),this movie is more "normal" than most of their films. However, while having a fun but almost conventional plot is NOT a bad thing for lovers of the weird Coen touch because interspersed throughout the film are some of the oddest and funniest supporting characters that make it obvious to most in the audience that this is one of their films. In some ways, this is reminiscent (on a less subtle level) of Fellini--who is known for some of the weirdest and ugliest supporting characters in many of his films.

Cederic the Entertainer is one of these funny bit parts, as the low-class and dim private investigator he plays is a riot. Playing the exact opposite of his earlier character in another Coen Brothers film (THE MAN WHO WASN'T THERE),the excessively talkative Billy Bob Thornton was quite funny and was a great inside joke for lovers of Coen films. Herb Meyerson plays an extremely creepy and moribund boss. I loved how suddenly near the end of the film this incredibly sick old goat suddenly comes to life--you just have to see it to understand what I mean. Plus, in an odd bit of going against type, Edward Herrmann plays a small but funny role as a kinky millionaire with a train fetish. Herrmann is probably best known as the narrator of many History Channel films and has had a habit of playing stuffy executives or millionaires--and he certainly is NOT stuffy here!

Now as for the plot, while slightly more conventional and a bit predictable, it still is very entertaining. I certainly wouldn't have thought that Catherine Zeta Jones and George Clooney would have been all that funny together, but it all worked thanks to excellent writing and direction. They make an excellent "anti-romantic" romantic comedy team.

Cute, funny and a good date film--watch it and have a good laugh.

This was much better than I thought it would be. This is a more than decent film. Yes it is flawed, but very few movies I have seen are completely flawless. What sparkled most was the chemistry of George Clooney and Catherine Zeta Jones. Clooney proves himself very likable, and does actually have some comedic talent. I can understand completely why people are entranced by Zeta Jones, because she looked amazing in this movie, and her rather saucy style of acting is put to good use in this film. There was very good support from Geoffrey Rush and Edward Hermann, as well as Billy Bob Thornton in a minor role. The script is very funny and sharply-observed. But the problem I had with the movie was the story. It was very confusing at times, and there were some scenes that felt misplaced like the opening scene. The film is also beautifully filmed, and carefully timed. In conclusion, an enjoyable film, and I am glad the film has a decent rating. 8/10 Bethany Cox.

Miles Massey (George Clooney) is a tough L.A. divorce attorney, and he destroys Marylin Rexroth (Catherine Zeta-Jones) in her divorce with Rex Rexroth, a wealthy real estate developer and habitual philanderer. Marylin schemes to get even. First she quickly marries oil tycoon Howard Doyle. Then she makes Miles fall for her. Only it's all part of her scheme.

The Coen brothers try to give L.A. divorce lawyers the Coen treatment. The crazy Coen style is in evidence here. The fast-talking dialog is dense, but doesn't flow. The mannerisms are exaggerated without the humorous effects. The biggest problem is that divorce lawyers aren't funny, and even the Coen brothers can't make them so. Not just the lawyers, everybody is disgusting, scheming, sleazy, money grubbing lowlifes. They're just more beautiful while doing it. I don't care about anybody or anything in this movie. I don't care about Miles, and I don't care if Miles get taken, and I don't care if Miles is truly in love.