A Serious Man - B+

Lawyer's original review is here.

Most have found Joel and Ethan Coen's most autobiographical film to date borderline nihilistic, providing zero answers concerning religion and life. But peppered throughout A Serious Man are several ideas on how to cope if you ever find yourself cursed or suffering a Job-like series of events. Larry Gopnik (Michael Stuhlbarg) is dealing with distant children, difficult neighbors, and a divorcing wife, but his socially inept brother (Richard Kind) is jealous of him. Count your blessings. Every member of Larry's family is unhappy for one reason or another but they all need him financially, but even more, they need him to be more active and involved. Many have felt the opening scene, a fake Jewish folktale, has nothing to do with the rest of the film. But the Jewish wife in that scene takes matter in her own hands. God helps those who help themselves . . .

The first rabbi encourages Larry to consider other perspectives. The second rabbi encourages him to help others. But the film builds up to Marshak, the elder rabbi. When Marshak finally speaks, he quotes Jefferson Airplane's "Somebody to Love": When the truth is found to be lies. And all hope within you dies. The rabbi then asks, "Then what?". The question is answered in the song: Don't you want somebody to love? Is that "somebody" God, your wife, your kids, yourself? You'll have to decide. But these are just ideas to help you get through this waking life. If you have everything figured out my your fourth or fifth decade, then what? What do you do with your remaining years?

The last scenes have undisclosed medical test results and a tornado bearing down on the town. The abrupt ending stresses the fact that in life, there's always another obstacle to overcome. It appears that Larry might reconcile with his wife. Her friend has received his comeuppance. Larry has bonded with his brother in a meaningful way (in an empty pool - or was it partially full?). And it appears Larry will get tenure. What's so bad? Why so serious? Maybe the easiest answer is in the title card that precedes the film: "Receive with simplicity everything that happens to you".

This is one of the Coens' strongest writing and directing achievements. The structure of the film is circular while at the same time classical with events happening in threes. 3 visits from a co-professor, 3 dreams, the son being chased 3 times. There is excellent cross-cutting of Larry and his son as well as with the car crashes. The Coens place important events in the background and show a great amount of scope in the cluttered offices of the rabbis and academics of 1967. The directing is very strong with subtle touches that add other levels of meaning. The way the son holds on to his yarmulke as he runs down the street. The American flag being torn apart by the wind. The transistor radio being held in close proximity to the Kiddush cup. An on and on - in nearly every scene. Anti-semitism creeps in as does modern society's effect on people and religion.

Roger Deakins's cinematography is impeccable, most impressive in the nighttime scenes. The unconventional cast might be unappealing but each delivers that unmistakable Coen dialogue perfectly. We're still a ways off from their peaks of Fargo and No Country for Old Men, but this is a step up from their last outing, Burn After Reading. B+