The Coen brothers have called this film the conclusion of their Trilogy of Idiots that began with O Brother, Where Art Thou? and continued with Intolerable Cruelty. But idiots may be too generous when it comes to these characters. John Malkovich and George Clooney play a CIA agent and U.S. Marshal, respectively, whose incompetence would put national security at risk in real life. Frances McDormands personal trainer cares only about getting both a man and plastic surgery and her co-worker Brad Pitt is missing a brain stem. The closest we get to a likable character is Richard Jenkins priest-turned-gym manager and he doesnt survive the film. In the Coen brothers world, idiocy can be deadly.