A Serious Man

BBB

(out of 5)

Larry Gopnik’s quiet life as a physics professor is going perfectly until things begin to unravel in record time. His gambling-addicted, unemployable brother (Richard Kind) has moved in with the family and is driving everyone crazy. Gopnik’s wife reacts by announcing that she’s leaving him for another man. His son’s behavioural issues in Hebrew school are making him a disciplinary problem, and his daughter is stealing money from his wallet to save up for a nose job. Car accidents, sexy neighbours, a disgruntled student with the intent to bribe, and a whole slew of wild events happen to a Jewish family in a peaceful Midwestern town in his highly stylized but emotionally sterile film from the Coen Brothers. The film features a strong element of sophisticated comedy and incredibly good acting, but where is the sympathy and humour that made us cling so much to the protagonists of movies like Fargo and Raising Arizona? This film features both the best of a Coen brothers experience, the gorgeously memorable images, and very worst from movies like Miller’s Crossing, a plot that sags under the weight of its own cleverness and never solidifies enough to make for compelling viewing.

Focus Features, StudioCanal, Relativity Media, Mike Zoss Productions, Working Title Films

USA/United Kingdom/France, 2009

Directed by Ethan Coen, Joel Coen

Screenplay by Joel Coen, Ethan Coen

Cinematography by Roger Deakins

Produced by Ethan Coen, Joel Coen

Music by Carter Burwell

Production Design by Jess Gonchor

Costume Design by Mary Zophres

Film Editing by Ethan Coen, Joel Coen

Academy Awards 2009

Cannes Film Festival 2009

Golden Globe Awards 2009

Gotham Awards 2009

Independent Spirit Awards 2009.  

Toronto International Film Festival 2009

Washington Film Critics Awards 2009.  

2 comments on “A Serious Man”

1. Pingback: Raising Arizona (1987) | timneath

2. Pingback: A Serious Man | screengrabsaz

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