‘Hail, Caesar!’ Review: Pure Coen Brothers Magic, Brilliant Dialogue Mashed with Such Style

“Hail, Caesar!” (2016)

Directors: Joel and Ethan Coen

Starring: Josh Brolin, George Clooney, Alden Ehrenreich

Reviewer Grade: 8ish

Reviewer: Lane Fortenberry

The Coen brothers have done it again. From the brilliant minds behind “No Country for Old Men,” “The Big Lebowski” and “Fargo” comes a new comedy, “Hail, Caesar!.” While on the lighter side, it still hits home for any Coen brothers fan, and hopefully new audience members alike. It’s a tale of a Hollywood executive in the 50s, who always finds a way to solve every problem, mostly with the stars.

While shooting Capital Pictures most anticipated movie of the year, “Hail, Caesar!,” the star Baird Whitlock (George Clooney) is kidnapped. Capital Pictures’ fixer, Eddie Mannix (Josh Brolin), has to figure out how to get him back to continue to shooting of “The Tale of the Christ.” After receiving a call from The Future with a ransom letter wanting $100,000 for the star’s return, Eddie rushes to fulfill the negotiation.

During the fiasco, Mannix runs through multiple movie sets featuring a drama with up-and-coming star Hobie Doyle (Alden Ehrenreich), an ocean tale starring DeeAnna Moran (Scarlett Johansson) and a musical starring Burt Gurney (Channing Tatum). It’s a little look inside the movie business and how sets operate. Of course, there are twists, like any Coen brother movie, but those are for you to see.

The best George Clooney is the wacky, delirious George Clooney, which is featured in this movie. Josh Brolin is as impressive as ever, and a perfect deliverer of the wonderful dialogue. Even though small roles, Scarlett Johansson and Channing Tatum awed in their own little movies inside this movie. The real star is Alden Ehrenreich, who is absolutely charming, especially when he can’t pronounce the lines in his drama. The Coen brothers are always recasting the same people for new roles in different movies, and it works.

“Hail, Caesar!” lived up to the hype it had received over the past few months. Any Coen brother fan will love this movie, because it still features the smart, witty writing we’re all used to. It was hilarious and thoroughly entertaining all the way through. It’s shot with such style featuring beautiful colors. They’ve proved, again, why they’re some of the best in the business. You won’t be disappointed.