Movie Review: A Serious Man

November 24, 2009

Less than two years after Joel and Ethan Coen graced Hollywood with possibly their best film, No Country for Old Men, they return with one that's just as Oscar-worthy as their 2007 feature.

The films centers on Larry Gopnik (Michael Stuhlbarg), a college professor who is surrounded by uncertainty and doubt.  Although his profession relies on facts and proofs, his personal life overall is quite the opposite.  The huge chalkboards in his classroom are full of equations and formulas that will easily confuse his brightest students.  Those proven formulas serve as a reminder of the ironies in Larry's life.  Within minutes of the film's interesting prologue Larry walks into his office to discuss with a student his failing grade.  The student begs Larry to change his F to a passing grade or maybe allow an opportunity to retake the midterm.  Larry refuses on all counts and the student slinks away in protest.  When Larry finds an envelope full of cash on his desk and he senses a bribe attempt.  He should've known better that this bump in the road would be a sign of worse things to come.

A series of events begin from that point that would easily drive any man crazy.  Professionally, Larry is up for tenure but it is made known to him that the tenure committee has been receiving anonymous letters that sully his good name.  And the controversy with the bribe actually gets worse as the failing student also looks to sue Larry for defamation. 

Larry, like any working man, tries to find solace at home.  But his personal life is just as crummy as his professional one.  He and his wife don't see eye to eye, the children don't respect him and his brother, Uncle Arthur, lives on the couch.  Son Danny (Aaron Wolf) is good at getting into trouble at the Hebrew school he attends, daughter Sarah (Jessica McManus) is sneaking money from Larry so that she can get a nose job and Arthur is writing a book that may be physical proof that he's a nut.  All this and wife Judith informs Larry that she wants a divorce, a ritual ceremony called a get.  So she can leave him... for Larry's best friend, Sy Abelman (Fred Malamed). 

Sy is an interesting character.  At one time a source of certainty and relief for Larry, Sy is a source of stress and pain.  Adding to that pain is Sy's attempt to console Larry and allowing himself to be a shoulder to cry on.  This treatment is similar to someone stealing your car and then later on offering to give you a ride home because you're walking.  It's embarrassing and sad but somehow Larry seemingly remains strong.

Did I mention that Larry's has a neighbor that likes to shoot things and seriously looks like he wants to strangle Larry?  His other neighbor, Mrs. Samsky (Amy Landecker), is pleasing to the eye but she taunts him by sunbathing nude in her backyard.  And don't even mention Colombia House or F-Troop to him.

With everything coming down upon Larry he's at a loss at how to handle it.  He seeks advice from not one but three different rabbis - two don't provide him with anything helpful while the third refuses to see him.  Without any sign of a reprieve Larry is forced to cope - somehow.

Larry is played masterfully by Michael Stuhlbarg.  He is able to convey disbelief in his role that doesn't come off as whiny or downtrodden.  He plays Larry with simplicity, an almost scary calmness, and with an everyman passion.  This serious man wants to be a serious man but no one is treating him like a serious man.

A film like A Serious Man would probably never by anyone but the Coen brothers.  This is a passion project that reflects their lives as children growing up in Minnesota.  And in relation this is certainly a film that they were allowed to make thanks to their Academy win.  The Coens are able to make a film that touches on academia, religion, Judaisim, family and fate.  Fate suggests a pre-determined conclusion to one's life, almost daring someone to do anything they please.  "I didn't do anything!" is a statement that Larry mutters many times during the film.  Larry's irony is that he didn't do anything, at least anything worthwhile - but fate has decided to treat him crappy anyways. 

A Serious Man, as impressive this film is, may not catch on with a wide audience.  The Coens present the film with as much uncertainty as its story suggests.  It is the first film I've seen that sheds light on Jewish life and culture all the while mocking it by depicting the film's rabbis as inept and clueless.  Their examination of fate serves to undermine religion in general as it challenges faith.  But outside of the Jewish perspective the film does tackle universal issues.  Nothing in this film is out of the ordinary or unbelievable.  Its simplicity is its beauty and while that be enjoyable to some the film's subtle tragic tone may keep most away.  Still, A Serious Man is one of 2009's best films and highlights the maturity that the Coen brothers have seemed to find.

3.5 Stars Out Of Four