MovieChat Forums > Burn After Reading (2008) Discussion > Based on Wizard of Oz Characters?

Based on Wizard of Oz Characters?


The characters, and to some extent the plot, seemed to be based on the Wizard of Oz (rather sarcastically, though).

Oz (Osborne) - Malcovich - the great and powerful, really just super-arrogant
Pitt - Scarecrow (no brain)
Harry - Clooney - Tin Man (no heart) - relationships about sex only (e.g. dildo chair)
Ted - Jenkins - Cowardly lion (most of the film he is a coward)
Linda - McDormand - Dorothy

Replace ruby slippers with the CD of Memoirs
Replace Dorothy's quest of returning to Kansas (something she had the power to do the whole time) with Linda's cosmetic surgery [returning to youth]/self-esteem, something that should also come from the inside.
Wicked witches are the wives.
Good witches are the clueless CIA (Simmons [love that guy] and Rasche)

In the end they grant Linda her wish (also Harry, kind of). Too bad about the rest!

Maybe I'm stretching to pull it together. Great movie, though.

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Quote from Joel Coen: "Every movie ever made is an attempt to remake the Wizard of Oz."

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