Read Mixed User Reviews for Hail, Caesar!

4

marklaing1Feb 15, 2016

With young kids, 6 and 4, my wife and I struggle to go out to see big screen films these days so it's doubly tiresome when we hit a dud. The old couple sitting to the right of us must have been teenagers during the movie's time period andWith young kids, 6 and 4, my wife and I struggle to go out to see big screen films these days so it's doubly tiresome when we hit a dud. The old couple sitting to the right of us must have been teenagers during the movie's time period and the wife fell asleep. Twice, snoring loudly. I thought Clooney was in the wrong part. The younger player were great. The movie was a mess, compare it to the dark humor of The Player and you'll see why. Ghastly with some great moments. But a series of vignettes, set pieces to what purpose. Sleep.… Expand

4 of 4 users found this helpful40

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5

foxgroveMar 16, 2016

The most disappointing thing about ‘Hail Caesar!’ is that it had the potential to be a very funny pastiche of Hollywood’s golden age, and indeed the moments involving movie making recreations are sublime indeed. The problem is that the twoThe most disappointing thing about ‘Hail Caesar!’ is that it had the potential to be a very funny pastiche of Hollywood’s golden age, and indeed the moments involving movie making recreations are sublime indeed. The problem is that the two main threads of the story are just not worthy of the incidental pleasures that the rest of the movie affords. The characters of Eddie Mannix and Baird Whitlock, played by Josh Brolin and George Clooney as a troubled studio head and kidnapped star respectively, are just not given the material to make their characters anything but dull, despite their perfectly respectable efforts. The film is basically too loosely written to gel properly into a satisfactory whole and it is definitely not as funny as it should be. Inspired moments peppered throughout enable a game supporting cast to try and salvage a film that is resolutely skewered to following the boring story arcs of Brolin and Clooney. Scarlett Johansson, Tilda Swinton and Ralph Fiennes all register strongly, but it is Channing Tatum and Alden Ehrenreich who steal the show. Tatum is dazzlingly fabulous in his big song and dance number demonstrating a talent I don’t think anyone could have imagined. And as Hobie Doyle, the dumb star of countless westerns making his transition to drama, Ehrenrich presents us with the most enjoyable and fully rounded character in the film. More of him and less of Brolin and Clooney would have been advantageous and most welcome. The film’s biggest laugh out loud moment, though, is reserved for Frances McDormand’s editor, C C Calhoun, whose one scene unwittingly, but deliciously, brings to mind Isadora Duncan. The film is finely crafted in all areas but especially in costume and production design. Their contributions add to the scenes recreating the movie making process which are undoubtedly the highlights of an otherwise very uneven film.… Expand

3 of 3 users found this helpful30

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5

MantisAug 28, 2016

Another let down. I didn't get the fuss about Inside Llwyn Davis, and now this. The movie is at least for me more entertaining than the previous one of the brother directors, but still it failed to deliver for me. I could appreciate someAnother let down. I didn't get the fuss about Inside Llwyn Davis, and now this. The movie is at least for me more entertaining than the previous one of the brother directors, but still it failed to deliver for me. I could appreciate some jokes and clever remarks, but all in all it was not a very interesting story. One to watch if you're a Coen brothers fan and otherwise nothing lost by skipping this one.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

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5

jblum1998May 13, 2016

Despite being a huge Coen Brother's fan I honestly didn't enjoy Hail, Caesar! as much as I thought I would...sure the acting was good, it's just such a slow-paced and extremely confusing movie. There may have been at least ONE humorous scene,Despite being a huge Coen Brother's fan I honestly didn't enjoy Hail, Caesar! as much as I thought I would...sure the acting was good, it's just such a slow-paced and extremely confusing movie. There may have been at least ONE humorous scene, but it didn't save the rest of the film.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

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6

PeterAlexanderDec 11, 2016

Great cast, quirky and filled with amusing dialogue, the Coen brothers provide a film that is reasonably enjoyable to watch, but nothing more. It is not the masterpiece it tries to be.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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4

Rick1000Feb 6, 2016

From the hype and marketing I thought Hail, Caesar would be a very funny movie... I was wrong. This is an ambitious effort with a bunch of movie genres from the 1940s and '50s packed in, some with humorous results and others for the sake ofFrom the hype and marketing I thought Hail, Caesar would be a very funny movie... I was wrong. This is an ambitious effort with a bunch of movie genres from the 1940s and '50s packed in, some with humorous results and others for the sake of it. The problem with this film is that while there are several funny moments scattered throughout, the Coen Brothers introduce various plotlines, none of which generate any steam. Nothing has us asking; "what will happen?" How will this work out? The stories are so meekly resolved that nobody cares. Add to that the fact that no characters are explored fully enough to love them, hate them or really careabout then, and you've got a movie in which the audience simply doesn't have any reason to watch other than having paid to be there.… Expand

5 of 6 users found this helpful51

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5

kriebelrFeb 5, 2016

Some funny moments. Meandering, go nowhere plot. There were lots of big names in this film, which just seems like a gimmick. George Clooney's portrayal was very one dimensional. Slightly disappointed.

7 of 9 users found this helpful72

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4

Jess_HillFeb 28, 2016

This was a disappointing film which is difficult to categorise, as it's comprised of a series of self-aware film cliches strung together in an attempt to form some kind of meta commentary on the nature of film itself (I think). There areThis was a disappointing film which is difficult to categorise, as it's comprised of a series of self-aware film cliches strung together in an attempt to form some kind of meta commentary on the nature of film itself (I think). There are laughs to be had, but only as a result of singular sequences, the storyline being too esoteric to enjoy in a broader sense. The performances, really just a sequence of cameos, are good but contrived, caricature rather than substantive. An oddity without substance. 4.02/10… Expand

3 of 4 users found this helpful31

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5

donnelbrFeb 5, 2016

Seems like a film made FOR Hollywood to laugh at itself. Too bad it's not funny for the rest of us. Don't get me wrong, it's a somewhat interesting film, full of caricatures. It, and the plot, barely held my interest. The Channing TatumSeems like a film made FOR Hollywood to laugh at itself. Too bad it's not funny for the rest of us. Don't get me wrong, it's a somewhat interesting film, full of caricatures. It, and the plot, barely held my interest. The Channing Tatum dance scene leverages his talents, and is well directed. ...altogether a solid film. It's just that my date and I were looking at our watches the whole film, and time definitely did not fly. For a film so highly regarded by the critics, it was a slog for us.… Expand

8 of 12 users found this helpful84

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4

McGillotineFeb 26, 2016

The Coen Brothers sure do a hell of a job, accomplishing nothing in Hail Caesar, from characters to general plot and progression, there is a serious lack of substance within the film leading way to excessive confusion and boredom. It alsoThe Coen Brothers sure do a hell of a job, accomplishing nothing in Hail Caesar, from characters to general plot and progression, there is a serious lack of substance within the film leading way to excessive confusion and boredom. It also holds my record for most people to walk out on a film accumulating half the cinema getting up to refund their tickets, which surprisingly became more entertaining than the movie itself.

Now if you are planning to watch this movie please help yourself, to these few things to better your experience. 1st. hit yourself with an adrenaline shot before the film, so you don't have ushers trying to wake you 5 hours after the movie has ended 2nd. Sticky tape your eyebrows to your forehead, because with the brief screen time some actors have, you will have missed them in the time it take to blink and 3rd and finally don't go in with any expectations at all or you will be guaranteed to be disapointed

Now where credits is due is to Brolin and Ehrenreich who make the most of the films pretentious script whereas every other actor and actress who shares a piece of the small spotlight seemed to have had a care factor of zero, when reading the weak and intolerable screenplay. Written with the same amount of care and consideration involved in trying to to miss the toilet seat while peeing.

Hail Caesar, isn't funny it isn't intelligent and most of the struggle behind the movie is trying to figure out exactly what it was supposed to be.… Expand

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

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4

BingBongMar 13, 2016

I went to watch this with high hopes, and the first 30 minutes were great, actually had me laughing at one point. And then it just slowed down and began meandering along, like an amiable, slightly drunk uncle after a good meal wandering roundI went to watch this with high hopes, and the first 30 minutes were great, actually had me laughing at one point. And then it just slowed down and began meandering along, like an amiable, slightly drunk uncle after a good meal wandering round the garden looking for somewhere to rest his weary bones. Mind you, I've often noticed this with the Coen's work. Start off with zip and inventiveness and then run out of steam and become unnecessarily wordy. 'No country for old men,' for example, and 'burn after reading.' Only, TBH, this last was pretty flat from the getgo.… Expand

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

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6

YellowKirbyMar 12, 2016

While certainly enjoyable, 'Hail, Caesar!' failed to live up to my expectations, as it not only produced less laughs than I expected, but also underused some of its greatest and most interesting characters and set-pieces. The plot seemed lazyWhile certainly enjoyable, 'Hail, Caesar!' failed to live up to my expectations, as it not only produced less laughs than I expected, but also underused some of its greatest and most interesting characters and set-pieces. The plot seemed lazy and wore thin after a while, and the best scenes are those on the sets of the movies within the movie.… Expand

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

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4

acricketerFeb 5, 2016

"Infamy! infamy!, they've all got it in for me!" One of the best lines in comedy cinema history which passed through the lips of the late,great Kenneth Williams playing Julius Caesar in 'Carry on Caesar". You can't compete with that.

2 of 4 users found this helpful22

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6

TVJerryFeb 7, 2016

The latest from the Coen Brothers is a playful tribute to the Golden Age of Hollywood. The central character is a studio exec (Josh Brolin), who deals with his stars, directors and productions in one busy day. We also get treated to someThe latest from the Coen Brothers is a playful tribute to the Golden Age of Hollywood. The central character is a studio exec (Josh Brolin), who deals with his stars, directors and productions in one busy day. We also get treated to some delightful re-creations of classic styles (a Biblical epic, a Western, a Kelly-esque dance romp, an Esther Williams production number). The star-loaded cast (Clooney, Tatum, Johansson) gets to create some delightful types (Alden Ehrenreich is especially enjoyable as a sincere, simple cowboy). So far, sounds like lots of fun. Where it stumbles is tying it all together. The individual encounters are lively and peppered with the Coen’s cracked sense of humor. But the whole narrative doesn’t seam together smoothly and there’s more energy than laffs. A lesser film by the Brothers is still fun.… Expand

2 of 4 users found this helpful22

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6

GreatMartinFeb 5, 2016

"Hail, Caesar!" is a goldmine for film buffs and anyone familiar with the 'old' Hollywood, a time when studios ruled and took care of their stars and kept them out of jail. It was a time when a baby born out of wedlock would be adopted by her"Hail, Caesar!" is a goldmine for film buffs and anyone familiar with the 'old' Hollywood, a time when studios ruled and took care of their stars and kept them out of jail. It was a time when a baby born out of wedlock would be adopted by her movie star real mother. Was the story true about a director being fired because the actor had tricked with him before becoming a big time 'masculine' star? Who is the singing cowboy, (played by Alden Ehrenreich), the studio wants to turn into a drawing room star based on?

The best segment is a 'homage' to Gene Kelly, and films like "One The Town" and "Anchors Away", with Channing Tatum dancing up athletic tapping and acrobatic, flawless movements with homoerotic overtones to a song entitled "No Dames". The funniest segment is a scene with Frances McDormand editing this segment.

The story line of, possibly, the blacklisted 'Communist" writers kidnapping the star of the movie "Hail, Caesar!" ("Ben Hur" anyone?) played by George Clooney (Charleton Heston?) doiesn't really go anywhere but he seems to be having fun playing it for goofiness.

There are a few scenes that just don't work like Eddie Mannix, the 'fixer', played by Josh Brolin in a somber, fedora clad, going to confession and confessing he smoked 2 to 3 cigarettes and slapping a contract player. There is also a scene that falls flat where Mannix is trying to get approval for the film from 4 religious readers. None of this is Brolin's fault but of the screenwriting.

Scarlott Johansson as DeeAnna Moran, really Esther Williams at least in the roles she played, replicates the swimming routine choreographed by Busby Berkeley in the original "Million Dollar Mermaid" and though not given enough to do looks great doing in it.

Veronica Osorio (Carmen Miranda?) shines in a small role while Ralph Fiennes (Vincent Minelli?) and Tilda Swinton (Louella Parsons and Hedda Hopper?) are given little to do but do what they can with what they are given.

Directed and written by Joel Coen and Ethan Coen the movie is not up to par in either position. Though offering a few laughs "Hail, Caesar!" is more enjoyed for the guessing game that holds interest for those who know movies and/or remember the scandals of yesterday.… Expand

2 of 4 users found this helpful22

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4

BshopFeb 5, 2016

Mildly entertaining. Some characters fell flat, while others were outstanding.
When it ending, it seemed abrupt (like there was meant to be more)?
In summary, wait for it on DVD or Redbox. Not worth the admission, unless maybe you like meta-movies.

5 of 11 users found this helpful56

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6

BHBarryFeb 7, 2016

"Hail, Caesar" boasts an all star cast including Channing Tatum, Josh Brolin, George Clooney, Frances McDormand, Jonah Hill, Elden Ehrenreich, Ralph Fiennes, Scarlett Johansson and Tilda Swinton and was co-written and directed by Joel and"Hail, Caesar" boasts an all star cast including Channing Tatum, Josh Brolin, George Clooney, Frances McDormand, Jonah Hill, Elden Ehrenreich, Ralph Fiennes, Scarlett Johansson and Tilda Swinton and was co-written and directed by Joel and Ethan Coen. Given this stellar list of talented actors, writers and directors, I eagerly anticipated viewing this attempted satire of 1950’s Hollywood but, unfortunately, I was greatly disappointed for the advertised brand was significantly better than the product. With so much material available, the Coens missed almost every opportunity to make the film work and could have elicited genuine laughter instead of only a slight smile or grin from an audience anxiously wanting and hoping for more. It should also be noted that Mr. Clooney and Ms. Johansson, two charismatic and generally enjoyable actors to watch, should not attempt slapstick comedy for the result is more tragic than humorous. Also, the film with many subplots never properly allows any of them to develop and what could have been a clever spoof of making films in the mid 20th Century becomes a poor but unsuccessful attempt to be funny. Knowing what could have been achieved but wasn’t is even more frustrating. Difficult to understand, too, is that so many reputable critics have applauded this film apparently judging the proverbial "book" by its cover rather than its contents. I give the film a6.0 rating 2 stars suggesting that the Coens owed the viewers and their own tremendous talents more than they were able to achieve in their latest theatrical endeavor.… Expand

0 of 5 users found this helpful05

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6

netflicFeb 17, 2016

Overall, the movie is at times amusing but not memorable. Definitely, not one of the best produced by Coen brothers. For people closely familiar with Hollywood it should be a lot of fun though.

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

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6

moviemitch96Feb 16, 2016

I must admit that this was a very odd and uneven film. Despite promises from critics that film buffs such as myself and those familiar with Hollywood's golden age would enjoy this film, I really thought that it could've turned out a lotI must admit that this was a very odd and uneven film. Despite promises from critics that film buffs such as myself and those familiar with Hollywood's golden age would enjoy this film, I really thought that it could've turned out a lot better. Granted, there are some worthwhile performances from the A-list all-star cast, but even they weren't enough to make the film any better. And while the film was certainly meant to be a comedy and I did let out a chuckle or two, I found most of it to be very bland and straightforward. Overall, this is just another sign to me that the Coen Bros. are more or less losing their touch.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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6

NerdConsultantMar 3, 2016

Hail Caesar is a rather well made movie but has rather an under developed script which is what really holds it back. The performances are all good even though most of the cast don’t get much to do and honestly it feels too short and it feelsHail Caesar is a rather well made movie but has rather an under developed script which is what really holds it back. The performances are all good even though most of the cast don’t get much to do and honestly it feels too short and it feels like it could have easily gone on longer. The film does have an excellent production design and is a perfect tribute to 1950’s cinema but I felt it could have given us more. The Coen brothers can make movies that have less structure and more just exist to be movies like The Big Lebowski, but I kind of preferred their more structured works like No Country For Old Men and True Grit where they are being kept on a leash because of their source material, when they are left on their own like they are with this movie, I think they can often go a bit too far, however on this occasion, I don’t think they go far enough and it reeks of them trying to bite off more than they could chew.

It’s not totally bad, this will be a very interesting film to watch on NetFlix on a movie night with your friends and you won’t come out hating it, a couple of moments really made me laugh. The film can be very entertaining at times which is a credit, it just doesn’t measure up to a perfect whole. Wait for it to come out on DVD and get it on a rental.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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6

Unladenswallow0Mar 9, 2016

I liked the satire the most, thats where the film actually became enjoyable, especially the parts where they take jabs at the role of directors and actors. Parts of the film were actually funny, without trying to hard to be, which is great.I liked the satire the most, thats where the film actually became enjoyable, especially the parts where they take jabs at the role of directors and actors. Parts of the film were actually funny, without trying to hard to be, which is great. The majority of the movie was a meandering mess though, i didnt know where the hell it was going for the most part. When the Baltic black communist submarine came up out of the ocean to pick up Channing Tatum i soon began to realize that i may have had a stroke. The story itself was just weak, even when you make sense of it. A stronger writing board, with the same directorial set would have made this movie a hell of a lot more enjoyable than it was.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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6

WheelzFourReelzMar 29, 2016

There is a lot to like here. The performances are great, the cinematography is gorgeous, the humor is well-timed, and the filming of these movies are phenomenal. However, the story is such a sloppy, inconsistent mess, that it's tough toThere is a lot to like here. The performances are great, the cinematography is gorgeous, the humor is well-timed, and the filming of these movies are phenomenal. However, the story is such a sloppy, inconsistent mess, that it's tough to wholeheartedly recommend this one.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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6

jg63Feb 14, 2016

Great production numbers and cinematography, but the plot is very thin. Clooney is wasted, so is Johansson. Then again, so was Tatum. All are great talents who could have been used much more effectively with a deeper plot. Brolin wasGreat production numbers and cinematography, but the plot is very thin. Clooney is wasted, so is Johansson. Then again, so was Tatum. All are great talents who could have been used much more effectively with a deeper plot. Brolin was great. Great pieces looking for a great movie to be in.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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6

TyranianAug 24, 2019

Not one of the Coens best films but still well-written and entertaining. Acting is solid.