CIA agent Osbourne Cox (John Malkovich) loses his job and decides to bide his time, when he’s not drinking, by penning his memoirs.

It hardly matters that the plot is so complex and rambling - all you need to know is that it concerns a disc stolen off a disgraced CIA agent (Malkovich) by a couple of dim gym workers (Pitt and McDormand) who try to scam some money for its return.

A wonderfully warm-hearted story about seizing the moment, with a great central performance from McDormand.

In the last official briefing before the big show, Oscar producer Gil Cates, director Lou Horvitz and Academy president Sid Ganis promised no political uproar – and no rain – at the Academy Awards tomorrow.