If you're like me, then you probably hadn't heard too much about A Serious Man prior to its release. Sure, there were passing mentions and occasional whispers, but it didn't sound like this movie was going to be anything earth-shattering. Having now seen the film, I can't for the life of me understand why everyone isn't talking about it. The Coen brothers have become well known for their unique brand of storytelling. Whether it's a comedy film or a drama piece, one thing always manages to catch the attention of viewers and critics alike: the characters. A Serious Man tells the story of Larry Gopnik, a Jewish physics professor living in suburban Minnesota in the 1960s. Larry's life is falling apart around him: his son is only interested in smoking pot and watching TV, his brother is sleeping on the couch and hogging the bathroom, his job is at risk, and his wife has unexpectedly decided to leave him for another man.
If you think the plot sounds a little harsh, then you'd be right. Gopnik is a pawn under the Coen brothers' direction; just when it seems things can't get any crazier for him, they do. As sick as it may sound, this is where the film derives all of its comedy. The Coens literally throw everything they can at Gopnik, and then mitigate the tension just enough to make him stop short of going certifiably insane. The title adds to this situational humor; I went in thinking that Larry himself would be the "serious man;" but he isn't"¦ that designation is reserved for the smooth-talking Sy Ableman, with whom Mrs. Gopnik is having an affair.
It's no wonder then that the music of this film plays a large part in setting the tone for Larry's life. Jefferson Airplane is used throughout to juxtapose the psychedelic music movement with the spiraling existence of the movie's typically reserved main character. As a Jew, Gopnik has to balance everyday life with his spiritual wellbeing"”so he turns to three rabbis for guidance. I feel that these encounters really set A Serious Man apart from anything that's come before. It's as though Larry is searching desperately for the meaning of his life"”the more he searches, the further away the answer seems.
Although the story is entirely original, the characters are not. In fact, most border on pure stereotype. While this is sure to offend some, the fact remains that everyone in the cast delivers an incredible performance. Most of these actors are relatively unknown, save for a handful of the supporting cast. This is certainly a departure from the Coen's more star-studded features of late, but that's definitely not a bad thing. Expect to see a lot more of star Michael Stuhlbarg in the future.
A Serious Man may be one of the best dark comedies to come along in quite some time, and it's definitely worth your time to check this one out. The next time you think that work or school is giving you a hard time, you'll think back to this film and realize one of two things: a) the stuff you're dealing with could be hilarious to an outside viewer, or b) that things could be so much worse than they really are.
