Hail, Caesar!

Hail, Caesar! Was one of my most anticipated films of 2016. I LOVE the Coen Brothers, especially their comedies. Going in, I had certain expectations. Leaving the film, I don't really know how to sum up what I watched. All I could say is... I loved it.

The acting in Hail, Caesar is absolutely incredible. Every single actor involved, no matter how small their part, gives it their all. Josh Brolin is damn great as Eddie Mannix, a "fixer-upper" at a Hollywood studio. He's not only hilarious, but also pretty badass. George Clooney is pretty quirky and had me laughing at almost every line he delivered. Ralph Fiennes, Scarlett Johansson, Tilda Swinton, Channing Tatum, Jonah Hill and Frances McDormand are all very funny and have unique and fun characters, even if some of them are in the movie for about five minutes. My personal highlight was Alden Ehrenreich. He was in the two funniest scenes in the film, and his character had me laughing to the point of tears.

The plot of Hail, Caesar is very unconventional. The narrative is messy, but it works perfectly for the story the Coen brothers are trying to tell. Because of this, the film may not appeal to general audiences. People going in to Hail, Caesar expecting a completely linear and straight forward story may be confused or disappointed. I, however, adored the way the film flowed. It was a complete love-letter to classic cinema and old Hollywood. It was also satire on the film industry, something the Coen brothers nailed.

The writing is the best part of Hail, Caesar. The Coen brothers once again craft a quirky and hysterical screenplay containing many subtle jokes. Some of these jokes will fly over audience's heads, but I actually caught all of them. I was laughing consistently from beginning to end, making this the funniest Coen brothers film. The pacing was very quick too, leading to a fast-paced satirical comedy that may be one of the funniest films I've seen in years.

Overall, Hail, Caesar is not the best Coen brothers film, but it is one of my personal favourites. It is laugh-your-ass-off funny, has a fun plot, an excellent cast and fantastic writing and directing. It's a must-see!

RATING: 9.25/10.