And sometimes I do wish it had just a tiny bit of…oh, I don’t know, purpose? Ambition? More urgency and danger as the climax approaches? (The movie’s heart rate never gets out of zone 1.) But maybe I’ve just seen it too many times. And the first few times you watch it, none of the flaws matter. The dialogue, the smoothness, the pervasive sense of fun, the charisma of the cast, Pitt’s poker game with the actors, the twins’ car-racing scene, everything with Elliot Gould… it’s so much funnier and more pleasurable than the vast majority of actual comedies.

The scene between Clooney & Roberts in the restaurant practically steps out of an old screwball comedy.

“You’re a liar and a thief.”
“I only lied about being a thief… but I don’t do that anymore.”
“Steal?”
“Lie.”
“I’m with someone now who doesn’t have to make that kind of distinction.”
“Oh, no, he’s very clear on both.”