Hail, Caesar! (2016) Review

Hail, Caesar! (2016) Review

This is a classic case of a movie trailer being more entertaining than the actual movie itself. Sadly, Hail, Caesar!, is a misfire in the eyes of this reviewer, especially given that it is a Coen Brother's film. It's sad to have such raised expectations for people like this only to have them squandered.

I understand that the movie is a satire on Hollywood and the craziness that goes on there, but it could have at-least been a bit more amusing. We are shown the craziness of random casting changes, Hollywood gossip, political intervention, director-actor relationships, and the difficulty of keeping everything together. But in doing so, the overall story seems to never come full force (or all that coherent for that matter). Brolin's character goes from one set to the next as we are shown elaborate dance scenes, and behind the scenes turmoil. The problem is these scenes do nothing to advance the plot. It's a nice trip down memory lane to see old school productions but that's it.

Caesar may have a ton of star power and production designs galore, but it simply lacks the most fundamental aspect a movie requires, entertainment. I wish I could say the movie was hilarious or thought-provoking or tense, but I can't. Everything here felt half-baked and the story that seemed to be at the core felt thin at best. The trailer made promises the movie didn't deliver. Go watch Trumbo instead.