Coming from the Oscar-loaded Coen Brothers and an A-list cast, one might have the wrong expectations for “Burn After Reading.” This dark comedy will leave some confused and disappointed, while leaving others laughing with their minds spinning.

The movie starts with backgrounds for many of the characters but as events take place, their stories come spiraling together.

The plot is set in Washington, D.C., and is based around a group of self-centered characters dealing with their “adult lives.” While receiving his daily briefing, the CIA superior (J.K. Simmons) says, “Report back to me when it makes sense.” This describes the tone of the whole movie. Every character has their own motives that are really based on nothing other than selfishness and deceit.

Osborne Cox (John Malkovich) loses his job as a CIA agent. In an attempt to get back at his superior, he plans to write a memoir of his experiences with the agency. His wife, Katie Cox (Tilda Swinton), puts these memoirs onto a disk in an attempt to steal his financial information for her divorce lawyer. This disk ends up in the hands of two dodgy fitness trainers who believe they have found high-security, national information.

The two fitness trainers, played by Frances McDormand and Brad Pitt, attempt to use this newfound “information” as leverage to receive a cash reward, which McDormand’s character, Linda Litzke, wants for plastic surgery to help her on her road to “self-enlightenment.” Pitt’s character, Chad Feldheimer, is the most enjoyable character. He plays an overly anxious, simple-minded person who cannot sit still. While everyone else in the movie has their own, self-centered agenda, his motives for blackmail are to receive a good citizen bonus.

Meanwhile, Harry Pfarrer (George Clooney), also a former CIA agent, is having an affair with Katie Cox, Osborne’s wife. He plays a U.S. Marshal who is arrogant about his position and having a gun on hand at every moment, but takes pride in the fact that he has never fired it.

While this movie probably won’t become a classic, such as the Coen Brothers’ other movies, it still entertains and is worth your time. This “screwball” brings a comedic light to divorce, online dating and getting in too deep.