A Serious Man

One thing is certain about this movie. This guy's life sucks. His wife is leaving him for a creepy jerk named Sy Ableman. His son's a pot head. His daughter is an annoying brat. His brother is crazy and in trouble with the law. When Sy dies he has to pay for his funeral. And everything still seems to get blamed on him.

I think I liked this movie. But I don't know why. It was strange. It ended on a completely negative note. And there was no justice. But something about it just worked. Created by the Coen Brothers (O Brother Where Art Thou?) it followed the story of Larry Gopnik, a Jewish professor who was experiencing a rough patch.

Larry, played by Michael Stuhlbarg, was easy to relate to and sympathize this. Because of this, I basically hated every other character. However, one of my favorite characters was Sy Ableman played by Fred Melamed.

There was a short nine minute scene at the beginning of the movie that didn't seem to make any outward sense. There was also a strange scene with him next door neighbor's wife, Mrs. Samsky (the creepy Amy Landecker) where she invites him in and they smoke pot. Despite what the preview implied nothing happened. In fact, not much happened at all. My main complaint was false advertising. The previews for this movie indicated that it was a comedy. After listening to the soundtrack for more than a minute, you can tell that it's not. This man's life is sad and in some cases unfixable.

Random:

Any scenes with Clive, the South Korean student who is trying to bribe Larry for a good grade, are hilarious.

When Scenes

WHEN Sy is trying to calm Larry down saying "You know Larry I find that sometimes when I could to ten....one...two...three" and he nuzzles Larry's hand closer.

WHEN Larry's racist neighbor says "Is this man bothering you?" When the South Korean father of one of his students comes to talk to him. You see the neighbor continue to stare at the South Korean even as he walks away.

WHEN Larry comes home to check on his wife and his kids answer the door. He hears his wife sobbing and they casually say 'Oh Sy Ableman' died in a car crash.'

WHEN Larry has a mental breakdown in his lawyer's office.

WHEN The Rabbi's secretary has a man voice.

WHEN Larry is dreaming and his racist neighbor shoots his brother in the head. "There's another Jew son!"

WHEN Larry's son, Danny, is at his bar mitzvah high.

Quickies

"Things aren't so bad, look at the parking lot Larry. Just look at that parking lot."— Rabbi Scott (Simon Helberg)

"Don't worry. Doing nothing is not bad. Ipso facto." — Arlen Finkle (Ari Hoptman)

"I don't want Santana Abraxis! I've just been in a terrible auto accident!" — Larry Gopnik (Michael Stuhlbarg)

"When the truth is found to be lies, and all the hope within you dies. Then what?" — Rabbi Marshak (Alan Mandell)

Fun Facts

In his argument with the Columbia House records employee over the phone, Larry Gopnik repeatedly rejects the album Abraxas by Santana, in a variety of ways. He did not order Abraxas, he doesn't want Abraxas, he won't listen to Abraxas. Abraxas is a Gnostic term for God, particularly a God who is encompasses all things from Creator of the Universe to the Devil, and an etymological root for "abracadabra." It is thus implied that Larry Gopnik is vehemently rejecting God and magic.

The names of the characters who ride the school bus with Danny Gopnik are the names of children that the Coen brothers grew up with.