Suburbicon

Front Row at the Movies by Shirrel Rhoades

[mr_rating_result]

You think you’re getting a new Coen Brothers movie — they indeed wrote “Suburbicon” — but in truth you’re getting a George Clooney mishmash featuring his pal Matt Damon.

The peaceful suburbia depicted in this crime comedy has “a violent underbelly.” Yes, this is Fargo-esque territory, but it has trouble deciding whether it’s a crime story or a comedy.

The Coen Brothers can deliver this kind of two-pronged attack, but Clooney can’t quite find the balance.

“Suburbicon” is currently teeter-totting at Tropic Cinema.

Julianne Moore and Oscar Isaac try to add ballast to Matt Damon’s erratic performance.

Damon plays bespectacled Gardner Lodge. Noah Jupe is his son Nicky. Glenn Fleshler complicates matters as a hitman.

Need we say more?

A Coen Brothers script. Coen Brothers crime. Coen Brothers humor. Coen Brothers characters. But not a Coen Brothers film.

Still there’s much to like. And dislike.

Email Shirrel: srhoades@aol.com