'Hail, Caesar!' - Review

Director: Joel and Ethan Coen
Cast: Josh Brolin, George Clooney, Scarlett Johansson, Channing Tatum, Ralph Fiennes, Tilda Swinton, Jonah Hill, Frances McDormand, Alden Ehrenreich.
Release Date: February 2016

After viewing the first trailer for Hail, Caesar! back in 2015, the Coen brothers latest creation was quickly affirmed as one of my most highly anticipated films of 2016. Now I've watched the film? I regret allowing myself to become so excited.

Hail, Caesar!, although fictional, follows the real life 1950s Hollywood "fixer" Eddie Mannix (Brolin) who attempts to uncover the mystery of the vanishing movie star (Clooney) whilst trying to maintain the image of several other performers.

With such an amazing filmography under their belts, including No Country for Old Men and Fargo, Hail, Caesar! unfortunately is a limp edition to their impressive resume. The film's premise is so promising; a comedy mystery where a studio Hollywood adviser has to enlist the help of film stars to recover one of their own after they go missing. On top of that, it's written and directed by arguably the most talented duo in the industry - what's not to like? Unfortunately, quite a bit. The mystery is revealed to the audience very early on and the characters that I expected to help propel the narrative forward hold no relevance to the story at all.

However, whilst some of the cast are given surprisingly little to do, every actor is fantastic and play to their strengths. Johansson is both alluring and comedic as Dee Anna Moran, an unruly actress with a reputation to protect. George Clooney continues to be the Coen's first call whenever they have a simple character on their hands, but he still manages to exude his starry persona. Tatum's dance sequence as the light-footed Burt Gurney is a joy to behold and Tatum delivers it with irresistible charm. If that isn't enough big name talent, Jonah Hill and Frances McDormand also add their flourish to proceedings. Although, their roles are extremely unsubstantial and they deliver approximately six lines between them.

Aesthetically, the film is very pleasing and you'll find yourself wishing you could be transported to 1950s L.A. As aforementioned, Tatum's tap-dancing sequence is captivating, as is Johansson's aquatic  number. These magnificent set pieces are without a doubt the film's highlight, but they don't make up for the picture's shortcomings.

In regards to Tatum's character Burt Gurney, there is an unappealing twist that reveals his true nature and motivation. The twist is cheesy and regrettably unfunny; the Coens have proved many-a-time that they can find humour in even the bleakest or unconventional of situations, but in this instance -- they fail.

Overall, Hail, Caesar! is a film bursting with the potential to be great, but the potential never comes to fruition and is suitable viewing for only the diehard Coen brothers fans.