Those wacky Coen Brothers are at it again with what, at the surface anyway, looks to be a much more accessible movie than their accustomed to making. Don't be fooled however, there's still is a fair share of quirky word play and offbeat situations.

In the comedy, George Clooney plays a divorce attorney who becomes smitten with the wife (Catherine Zeta-Jones) of a client. Bored with getting everything he wants all too easily, Clooney finds Jones to be a refreshing challenge and this, more often than not, gets him into some very sticky situations.

Intolerable Cruelty plays like an old school romantic comedy much of the time, and watching Clooney and Jones try to outplay each other is the major gimmick on display. Do they really love each other or is all just a big game? We do get an answer by the end of the film, and that was one of my big problems with the movie. I would have preferred an open book ending.

The Coen Brothers' great love for film is very evident in Intolerable Cruelty, as this is a throwback of sorts to those great screwball movies of yesteryear, in which great facial expressions and physical comedy play an important role in the proceedings. The funny stuff in this picture is extremely funny. There are some great moments between Clooney and his reclusive boss that are both hilarious and incredibly eerie. There's also a great bit featuring a bulky character named ÒWheezy Joe.Ó Sadly, the humor isn't nearly consistent enough.

Through it all, Clooney continues to dazzle as the perfect leading man. With each passing film this actor continues to get better and better. In Intolerable Cruelty, timing is the key, and Clooney is more than up to the challenge. He brings this energetic, brash character to life through great line delivery and perfect comic timing, punctuated by a series of terrific facial expressions. Jones is also fantastic as his female counterpart. I've always found her just average (save for her extraordinary physical turn in Chicago), but here, she exudes movie star appeal, and she and Clooney do generate some real chemistry. Billy Bob Thornton has a fun time in a supporting role as Jones' new husband, and watch for a brief cameo by cult hero Bruce Campbell.

I had a good enough time during Intolerable Cruelty, but I didn't love it the way I've loved past Coen Brothers movies. Yes, Clooney is terrific, and yes the movie offers up some really funny bits, but for the most part, I really didn't feel that the story took enough chances. I just wasn't surprised by anything in this movie. Still, I must admit, the Coen Brothers at their worst are better than most other film makers at their best. You Could do much worse than Intolerable Cruelty.