DVD: A Serious Man

 

Excuse my language, but fucking shit this movie is good. Theatrically released in late 2009, I feel bad that I only recently saw this movie on DVD (the release date of which was Feb. 9th) because if I had seen it in '09 this would have easily been on my list of top 10 movies of the year. Anyway, the film follows Larry Gopnik and his family as they go through some transitions in life that have Larry looking for an answer that his religious leaders seem reluctant (or unable) to give. Though most of the story centers around Larry's family and work troubles, we also see some of the smaller issues of his son Danny. Larry's plight had me thinking that he is a somewhat pathetic man, that if he would just stop being so polite and demand what seemed to be rightfully his then his problems would dissipate. Unfortunately with religion, and maybe Judaism specifically (I don't really know), its not that simple and so Larry looks to his religious leaders for guidance and that's where I found some of the best laughs in the film. For a movie that starts so slow, it is important that a viewer be emotionally invested in a protagonist. I think the Coens were successful with Larry, his frustrations were mine; I laughed (maniacally) as misfortune fell on those behind some of his troubles. Danny's portions tend to be more lighthearted and trivial but have the tendency to be equally hilarious, for example Danny getting high at his bar mitzvah is another comedic high point of the film.  It's interesting how much the two characters situations complement each other, continuing with the bar mitzvah example the scene has added hilarity thanks to the way it was shot being borrowed from an earlier scene where Larry gets high. I'm trying to avoid using specific details in this review because I think it would make the film sound mundane and boring, but somehow its not despite being about things that many people deal with in their lifetime. This is definitely a must watch and if you don't find yourself instantly attached to Larry like I was, have some patience because once the film gets going you will become invested in this serious man.