A Serious Man

You’ll never know why I am giving three stars! Ha, ha, ha, ha! (12.01.2010)

The best, most cynical, and most polished Coen brothers’ film since The Man Who Wasn't There. It’s a wonderfully unexciting film about an underdog whom God loved dearly and therefore visited upon him much adversity... A Jewish anecdote with an absolutely bestial ending. (12.07.2010)

Far from being the most kosher Coen movie, but, despite all of that “viewer-unfriendliness", it’s a good movie, although it isn’t even a bit funny. Even though it is clear not just from the ending that this movie was nothing other than one big joke from this brotherly duo. And, you have to give to them, it came off brilliantly (even though I started to have my suspicions after the Goy’s teeth episode). (10.01.2010)

With knowledge of any amount of Coen brothers' works, it will be clear after the first few minutes that the creative duo is once again trying something similar on us. The unfortunate protagonist (this time, once again, quite literally a life's failure) has bad luck at home, at work, and everywhere else, and the viewer can only wait to see where this pile of unfortunate events and mishaps will lead him. The narrative skill is certainly not lacking, but intentional vagueness and absurdity are only pleasantly original. Unfortunately, it is no longer particularly memorable. (17.02.2010)

A Serious Man is not among the ambitious titles in the Coen brothers' work, nor does it impress and engulf you at first sight. However, it got under my skin, and from it emerged - I would say a pleasant spectacle, but that wouldn't be true because it is actually a tragicomedy in the purest sense of the word. It is the story of a man who wanted to live righteously and exemplary, but the more seriously he tried, the more blows he received from his surroundings and life itself. The stylish prologue, which goes back deep into the history of the Jewish diaspora, does not seem to relate to the rest of the film at first glance, and it confuses the viewer and brings uncertain tension into the film regarding where it is all heading. It is a small film, a typical indie film about an unlucky hero who easily evokes empathy in the audience - and to whom it does not matter at all. Overall impression: 90%. (11.11.2015)

What on earth have the Coens done? Maybe it’s because I don’t like movies with a Jewish theme, nor am I too keen on the 70s, but I would be willing to come to terms with both if there had at least been some sort of story to it. The idea is good, but a couple of interesting shreds, some cases of director’s finesse and a powerful ending is just too little, IMHO. (15.02.2010)

I had quite a strong feeling the whole time, which was confirmed at the end: The Coens have once again played a huge joke on us. This time, a joke that is on the one hand very strange in places (stranger than in Barton Fink) and absurd, but on the other hand quite dry, real and believable, which takes place in the spirit of Rashi's opening statement "Receive with simplicity everything that happens to you". The excellent scenes of all kinds are held together by the main character's constant futile efforts to understand everything, and the sixties atmosphere and Deakins' cinematography and Burwell's music also help a lot. In short, the brothers have created another film that may (thankfully) not be for everyone, but is easy to like. Four and a half. (01.12.2011)

I like how the Coens, even in the case of this film, manage to maintain a pretty good sense of humor that warmly beckons you, not striving to make you laugh out loud, but wanting you to think a little, to empathize with the characters. However, in the end, you can't help but feel that it was actually a bit meaningless and that it is just trying to be clever. (14.04.2016)

I don't think I would wish for any truly serious person to live in such a panopticon. :)) Once again, the Coen brothers brilliantly play out a sometimes almost absurd game in which they manage to incorporate a very diverse range of characters in an excellent way. At times it really struck me as very cynical (to the point of feeling sorry for Larry), but we're pretty much used to that from the Coens. Craft-wise, there is nothing to complain about (the scene with the teeth and the message – it made my jaw drop:))) – it's stylish, fresh, new, sophisticated, it gradates exactly where it's supposed to, and most importantly – it's still "playful" and personal. I'm always glad for a film that goes against the current and that, though it may not be for everyone, everyone can find at least "their own thing" in it. I'm far from finished with the brothers' work, but at this point I rank A Serious Man really high, somewhere bordering on Fargo and just ahead of The Big Lebowski.) (03.08.2010)