Intolerable Cruelty (2003)

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details
Studio: Universal Pictures
Rating: PG-13
Release Date: Oct 10, 2003
Running Time: 100 mins.
Country Of Origin: United States
synopsis
Miles Massey, a prominent Los Angeles divorce attorney has everything--and in some cases, two of everything. Despite his impressive client list, a formidable win record, the respect of his peers and an ironclad contract (the "Massey pre-nup") named after him, he's reached a crossroads in his life. Sated on success, boredom has set in and he's looking for new challenges.All that changes when Miles meets his match in the devastating Marylin Rexroth. Marylin is the soon-to-be ex-wife of his client Rex Rexroth, a wealthy real estate developer and habitual philanderer. With the help of hard charging private investigator Gus Petch, she has Rex nailed and is looking forward to the financial independence a successful divorce will bring. But thanks to Miles' considerable skills, she ends up with nothing.Not to be outdone, Marylin schemes to get even and as part of her plan, quickly marries oil tycoon Howard Doyle. Miles and his unflappable associate, Wrigley, unwittingly dig themselves in deeper and deeper as they go head-to-head with Marylin. Underhanded tactics, deceptions and an undeniable attraction escalate as Marylin and Miles square off in this classic battle of the sexes.
cast + crew
Director
Miles Massey
Marilyn Rexroth
Donovan Donnelly
Rex Rexroth
Wrigley
Freddy Bender
Howard D Doyle
Sarah Sorkin
Heinz, the Baron Krauss von Espy
Screenplay
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reviews
Source
rating October 9, 2003
Near the end of this smart, speedy romantic farce, the comic engine hits a wall and sputters. Until then, this Coen brothers film -- easily their silliest -- is fueled by a screwball fizz that keeps the laughs popping. It helps that the stars are impossibly charming George Clooney and impossibly stunning Catherine Zeta-Jones. He plays Miles Massey, a killer L.A. divorce lawyer. She plays Marylin Rexroth, a gold digger ready to take her husband (Edward Herrmann) to the cleaners -- until he hires… Continued
Source

Strong lead characters are the heart of Intolerable Cruelty, and Clooney and Zeta-Jones are up to the task, seeming to recognize how easy it could be to slip into romantic comedy stereotypes. Zeta-Jones avoids that pitfall by keeping her gestures and facial expression very small--she never overplays her character's role-playing, whether she's doing the slighted wife bit, the rich divorcée bit or the lovestruck financée bit. Through it all, she's bathed in a soft golden light, and she looks warm… Continued