A Serious Man Review

Sometimes I find myself envying atheists and agnostics and their ability to toss the reasons for certain events to mere chance and coincidence. Not to criticize them, just that I envy their convenience, and I think Lawrence Gopnik does as well. See, as a religious, at least to some extent, person “A Serious Man” spoke very deeply to me personally, and for the record: no I'm not Jewish. However, one does not have to share another's faith to be able to understand struggle, and while that struggle may come in all different shapes and sizes there is always a question griping at us, whether its right in our face or nudging us in the back of the head, it always seems to be the same question: why does this happen me, aren't I supposed to be the blessed one? As most of you already know, in almost all religions people are taught that “everything happens for a reason.” That the higher power, whether you call him/her/it “God” or “Billy Bob The Great,” has everything happen in order to compliment a higher purpose. Sounds like a convenient philosophy in order to cope with a world as contorted as ours, to a certain extent one would be right. However, that philosophy seems to lose its power once we get caught up in all that contortion, and boy oh boy if Lawrence Gopnik isn't caught up in it I don't know where is.

If one was to examine it for its most elemental constituents one would find the plot of “A Serious Man” to be a modernized and greatly expounded upon story of Job. I am sure everyone at some point in their life has heard the story, or at least a variation, of Job: Job is a good and faithful servant of God or appears to be greatly blessed. But then, in order to prove that Job's faith in Him ran deeper than the extent of which he benefited God turned Job's life into a living hell. With “A Serious Man” The Coens have brought never-before-scene dimension to this ancient tale. So then, how did they do it? With the fictitious Jewish physicist Lawrence Gopnik.

From the very beginning we can tell Gopnik's life is falling apart. His wife wants a divorce, his son is slacking off in school, his daughter seems to have some strange obsession with washing her hair, his brother is a lazy, mooching failure that he has to take care of, and there is a Korean student in his physics class that is planning to blackmail him if he does not give him a “pessing guradue” on his midterm; and why is all of this happening? He doesn't know – and neither do we.

After watching “A Serious Man” I began to think deeply about the Coens' previous master-piece: “No Country For Old Men.” In terms of its overall purpose and narrative “No Country For Old Men” was punctual – no, let me rephrase that – it was perfect in its use of mechanics. Through the framing of the shots, the use of editing, and the delivery of the lines “No Country For Old Men” always got the reaction it wanted out of you; “A Serious Man” is no different. Through seemingly inexplicable actions of the world surrounding Gopnik “A Serous Man” always makes sure we are as frustrated and confused as Gopnik (and yes, that is a good thing.) However, the Coens are too smart to go over-board on the inexplicableness, they very wisely keep the characters believable however, have them allude our full understanding.

One could say that “A Serious Man” is very much so a performance driven film, mostly because it is. Michael Stuhlbarg's portrayal of a man desperately trying to understand why his life is going to hell in hand basket is at times funny, and at other moments heartbreaking. See, Gopnik is man who believes that beyond a shadow of a doubt everything has consequences, whether moral or metaphysical. However, not even his long, perplexing physics equations can help him understand what's happening to him, and his local Rabbis don't seem to be any help either.

If one was to summarize “A Serious Man” as a modern day Job story they would not be entirely correct. See, “A Serious Man” is about more than just a man struggling with his faith, it's also about the world that's destroying it. Both through symbolism (like how Gopnik's neighbors are slowly moving their property line to encroach upon his) and overt events (his son's descent into laziness and drugs) “A Serious Man” tells a tale of how American culture can ebb away at one's faith.

In all that it does “A Serious Man” does it perfectly. It is yet another cinematic gem from the Coen Brothers that only further proves their ability to refine their subject to its best form. A compelling, pertinent, and brilliant piece that rivals their “No Country For Old Men.”