A Serious Man
Focus Features | Release Date: October 2, 2009
6.8
USER SCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 336 Ratings
USER RATING DISTRIBUTION
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209
Mixed:
65
Negative:
62
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User Reviews

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10
HufffJan 10, 2014
The Cohen Brothers have created a movie which will sit right along side Fiddler On the Roof, The humor is subtle, but hilarious when you get it. At the same time, it questions the nature of life, Hashem, and karma.

A WARNING TO THE GOYIMThe Cohen Brothers have created a movie which will sit right along side Fiddler On the Roof, The humor is subtle, but hilarious when you get it. At the same time, it questions the nature of life, Hashem, and karma.

A WARNING TO THE GOYIM (YIDDISH FOR NOT JEWISH): You will not get nearly as much enjoyment out of this film. Most of the jokes are sort of "in" jokes that hard to get if you don't have a background for them. Sure, there will be some laugh-out-loud moments for you, but you'll have to sit through a lot which will not make sense to you. If you aren't Jewish, I wouldn't watch this movie unless you know the American Jewish culture.… Expand
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8
FranzHcriticNov 29, 2013
A sophisticated and detailed, albeit bizarre, film, of which most people would find puzzling and tepid. However, I, being Jewish, have a knowledge of the culture to understand the certain depths and symbolism the film attempts to convey. TheA sophisticated and detailed, albeit bizarre, film, of which most people would find puzzling and tepid. However, I, being Jewish, have a knowledge of the culture to understand the certain depths and symbolism the film attempts to convey. The acting is sublime, significantly the lead Michael Stuhlbarg. Has an extreme ingenuity, yet a very unusual idea and message.… Expand
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8
heeldavidJul 25, 2014
This movie isn't fro everybody, you're either gonna love it or hate it. But i liked it, i liked the dark humor and the character o Larry Gopnik, nice performance by the criminally underrated Michael Stulhbarg
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7
chwJul 18, 2014
A Serious Man is quite bizarre, but the Coen brothers still did a good job, and Michael Stuhlberg, Fred Melamed, and Richard Kind acted very very well.
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9
rogenAug 7, 2019
An underrated movie. It forces you to struggle a little to make sense of the narrative and understand where it's going as the story progresses, which is exactly the point. Life is like that. The message is, accept the mystery.
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10
MattBrady99Mar 24, 2016
Sy Ableman: "I'm a serious man, Larry."

The story is about a Midwestern physics teacher, watches his life unravel over multiple sudden incidents. Though seeking meaning and answers amidst his turmoils, he seems to keep sinking. 'ASy Ableman: "I'm a serious man, Larry."

The story is about a Midwestern physics teacher, watches his life unravel over multiple sudden incidents. Though seeking meaning and answers amidst his turmoils, he seems to keep sinking.

'A Serious Man' has to be the Coen Brothers most unappreciated movie when it comes to naming the Coen Brothers best movies, and yes there's plenty of outstanding movies from them, but lets not overlook movies such as this. The Coen Brothers have yet to disappoint me, even through I haven't seen every movie from them, but the ones I have watched I've given glowing reviews and so is this one, because 'A Serious Man' is a superb and wonderful piece of film making that I can't believe it took me this long to watch it.

The Coens are masters of film making and there's no point of me pointing that out for you, since you can watch one of they movies (expect for The Ladykillers) and see the brilliance in the dialogue scenes and the reverse shots by them keeping the shots simple but precise enough to keep you engaged. And in this movie, the Coens did just that and that's take a simple man like Larry Gopnik (Michael Stuhlbarg) and put him in an endless cycle of torment, for serious or comedic effect. That's what I was so amazed by from start till finish, not because of the writing or the cinematography (which are perfect by the way), but that I easily related to the main characters struggle and the dying questions about his own religion and he's life. Many times in the movie Larry tries to seek help and answers, but gets shut out or doesn't get satisfying answers. This hit home for me as I know what that's like. Bravo Coens.

Michael Stuhlbarg was absolutely fantastic in this movie and it's honestly one of he's best performance of his career (In my opinion). Stuhlbarg really dose bring a lot of emotion, depth and the human side to this character that we can easily simplify with. His reactions to hellish situations was spot on and realistic. It's hard to believe that he didn't get at least an Oscar nomination for this and just the thought of it is really hard to digest. Brilliantly performance Michael Stuhlbarg.

Roger Deakins is one of the best cinematography's working today and it wasn't surprising that the best part of this movie was the cinematography, as it was flawless. Most of the time the camera is right close up to the characters and it has a wide lens to it so you would feel a sense of presence of being right there with somebody. It really dose add a lot to the scenes in this movie, I mean it made some scenes of the movie uncomfortable or kind of funny. That's the work of Roger Deakins everyone and it's glorious.

I'm not going to spoil the ending to this movie, because I hate when people do that in reviews without any warnings, but let me tell you that the ending is such a gut-punch and will leave you completely speechless.

Now for the problems: ...

Overall 'A Serious Man' is an outstanding movie with brilliant performances from everyone and top notch writing from the Coens. If haven't seen this movie yet, then do yourself a favor and watch it.… Expand
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10
hanneguacamoleJun 9, 2015
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Dark comedies like this are my favorite. No matter the plot, I usually find at least some enjoyment in them. A Serious Man is really no exception. The ancient European setting that the movie started out in set up the wonky way with a dybbuk of Judaism and the controlling relationship of Judith. The flashes between Larry's life and his family's (and other's) really seems to show how horrible his life is and gets. Each scene somehow complicates the circumstances more and more until he's stuck and needs a rabbi's help to provide some advice, or try to.

The wife's affair reminds me a lot of The Descendants, with the unknowing father and the children that are also spiraling out of control. Throughout the week or so this movie focuses on a specific issue with each family member. Danny gets his radio with his $20 of drug money in it taken away, Sarah wants to use the bathroom but Uncle Arthur is always in there, Judith is having an affair with Sy, and Larry is just trying to cope. The suburban neighborhood they live in looks so perfect, just like Desperate Housewives where we all know what's beneath is anything but perfect. It really seems like all of the family's problems fall on Larry's shoulders in one way or another. He's already struggling enough with his own job, but now he has to deal with his children and all the issues that his wife's pushing on him. The rabbis are just as incompetent as anyone as we do eventually see, even though they're supposed to know what to do. Sy dies, Danny is stoned at his own bar mitzvah, but we do finally meet the elusive rabbi (who returns the radio.) "The truth is found to be lies and all the hope within you dies. Then what?"

There eventually are so many problems that Larry caves and has to take the easy way out of this situation and change the kid's grade for a bribe. Maybe cheating's not so bad? But then we remember that anything that can go wrong, will go wrong. There's something wrong with Larry's chest x-ray and a tornado's about to hit the school. Life's a mess and it's always gonna be a mess. Who knows what's gonna happen?… Expand
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8
scodypaulJan 29, 2018
"A Serious Man"..I liked it a lot... Coen brothers at it again. Acting is always superb in these films.
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6
amheretojudgeSep 22, 2018
no matter how it may be fabricated..

A Serious Man A Serious Man is a character driven comic drama about a physics teacher whose "safe" life somehow changes the lane to the opposite side of a one way street. Contrary to usual Coen brothers'no matter how it may be fabricated..

A Serious Man

A Serious Man is a character driven comic drama about a physics teacher whose "safe" life somehow changes the lane to the opposite side of a one way street. Contrary to usual Coen brothers' feature, it is funny and not because of its ingenuity in writing skills or the tiny humoristic notions imputed, but its Stuhlbarg's inexpressive, baffled and uncertain expressions that draws out most of the laughs. The sound effects are aptly bred if doesn't do much on background score with a decent cinematography and editing that keeps it to the definite point. The narrative is gripping, adaptive and layered with a slow pill nature where despite of its sadism, it crawls up to you and makes you feel for its characters. And this is how Coen brothers communicates their stakes with the viewers, the innuendos are genuinely effective and mature. Its uncertainty isn't here to breed the crisp out of, it is thought provoking and is intended to speak metaphorically and also fiddle with the viewers. As mentioned earlier, Stuhlbarg's performance is what amps up this eerie drama where he gets the aspired range and finally gets a stage to flaunt it on screen that is just mesmerizing to encounter. Coen brothers' execution might be decent as per usual but their tightly packed screenplay soars throughout the course of the feature with an appealing ideologies and layered analysis of theories. The thin line between science and malleable mythological that it walks on is why it's so perfectly balanced and to the point. The distracted route cannot be feasible and the makers keep an eye on it on each frame, their crystal clear vision cannot be seduced this time. A Serious Man is a serious tale, no matter how it may be fabricated, the raw core material is both hot and heavy.… Expand
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6
FilipeNetoAug 24, 2018
Although they sometimes provide us with almost incomprehensible films and this is quite unpleasant, the Coen Brothers deserve my respect for the very skillful way they usually balanced themselves, with one foot in intellectual cinema (whichAlthough they sometimes provide us with almost incomprehensible films and this is quite unpleasant, the Coen Brothers deserve my respect for the very skillful way they usually balanced themselves, with one foot in intellectual cinema (which spends more time in festivals than in theaters) and another foot in the common commercial cinema. In this case, I confess that I was expecting something different, although I do not know exactly what I was expecting.

The film has a very simple yet effective structure, clearly inspired by the biblical story of Job: Larry is a respected Jewish teacher who teaches at a Jewish college, is married, and has a couple of children. But his life quickly turns into an ordeal: his wife has a lover and asks for a divorce; His children only think of them and the younger one uses drugs; His job at school is put at the stake after a dissatisfied student causes him some problems... this dilemma makes Larry turn to his faith and seek an answer to the simpler question: "Why". The Jewish rabbis are unanimous: this is an answer we almost never get. The audience understands the story but the subliminal message is so subtle that it can pass alongside. The ending, open and sudden, displeased me because I was waiting for a conclusion. Only later I understand that the end of the movie comes when we least expect it, just like the end of our life.

Religion and philosophy are always present. However, it's not one of those films that you need to have a PhD to understand, although it's complex and tries to provoke some reflection. It's also far from being preachy because, as I easily realized, religion is almost an element of humor and parody. Nor could the irony of the Coen Brothers be absent. In addition to all the jokes around religion, there is also harsh criticism of our society. All the people in the film appear to be honest, serious and reliable but this, as the film subtly reveals, is an illusion. Each one has its sins and things that they want to hide, but they are "serious men".… Expand
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10
MahmusSep 25, 2020
This darkly funny movie about finding meaning in life is one of the Coen brothers' most underrated (a possibly least accesible) films.

This movie is a quest for answers, but if you know the Coen brothers, you know the chances of actuallyThis darkly funny movie about finding meaning in life is one of the Coen brothers' most underrated (a possibly least accesible) films.

This movie is a quest for answers, but if you know the Coen brothers, you know the chances of actually finding any answers are close to zero.

Michael Stuhlbarg gives a great performance.

The ending (and it's incredible closing shot) might leave many frustrated, unfulfilled and confused, but as the movie says:

"Just accept the mystery".… Expand
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7
DawdlingPoetNov 24, 2021
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This is a very quirky film - I suppose its fairly typical Coen brothers material to an extent, depicting the downfall of someone in a quite specific way, centering on a community of Jews. Its not exactly greatly comedic in an obvious, visual way but I did find it amusing at times. Its hard to put my finger on where the comedy comes from, I suppose its to do with the mundanity of many things building up certain consequences - it'd be hard not to feel sorry for the main character, Larry Gopnik. I'm not Jewish but I can only imagine some of said situations/circumstances. I enjoyed the film, I felt it was reasonably well made, even though I probably didn't fully 'get' all the references and so on. If your a fan of the Coen brothers work, then I would recommend this film - if not then this may or may not appeal to you. If it sounds a bit niche/bizarre, then perhaps give this a miss.… Expand
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10
SladeykajeMar 28, 2022
A perfect film, led by a perfect lead performance, with a perfect ensemble. It's perfect. I love it.
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9
NickTheCritickNov 2, 2021
This movie is an half-masterpiece. The beginning (that apparently is so disconnected from the rest of the movie) is simply great and the ending is fantastic too. It's a visceral entertaining Jewish movie and this might end up being myThis movie is an half-masterpiece. The beginning (that apparently is so disconnected from the rest of the movie) is simply great and the ending is fantastic too. It's a visceral entertaining Jewish movie and this might end up being my favourite Coen brother's movie along with Inside Llewyn Davis.… Expand
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