"What did I just watch"; that's what I was left asking myself after the Coen Brothers film, "A Serious Man," ended. Lauded by critics but ignored by general audiences, "A Serious Man" is, of course, an Academy Award contender for Best Picture. In my mind, this picture about a poor schlub with an unremarkable life and unappreciative family is more deserving of being forgotten than rewarded. Just because the Coen Brothers received an Oscar for writing and directing "No Country for Old Men" does not mean every film they make is award worthy cinema. Sometimes, if you "don't get it" it's not because you're not smart enough to appreciate the movie but instead because the filmmakers didn't do their job. The first rule of movies is to entertain their audience and "A Serious Man" fails to succeed at this most basic level.
The protagonist (I use this word loosely) is Professor Larry Gopnick, who is played by Michael Stuhlbarg. Stuhlbarg has a host of small movie parts to his name but this is his first lead in a major Hollywood production. The rest of the cast are unremarkable character actors from here and there, probably appreciative to be working with the Coen Brothers in the first place. Larry learns early in the picture that a student in his class cheated and wants to bribe him, his wife is leaving him for a touchy-feely type neighbor, and his job may be at risk because of the emotional toll these other matters are placing on him. His son is a non-repentant pot smoker who is afraid of the neighborhood bully, his daughter is always washing her hair, and his strange brother is sleeping on the family's couch. Sadly, this plot synopsis is as good as the movie gets.
"A Serious Man" is labeled a dark comedy but I can't find the humor in this poor man's plight. I've seen dark comedies before, including the French post-apocalyptic, cannibalistic picture "Delicatessen," and found more humor in that than in this poor excuse for a comedy. The characters are all drab and charm free. The story seems to be going nowhere with no apparent moral or "ah ha" moment that could justify the meandering, day-in-the-life pace. I wanted this picture to end as soon as I saw that the Coen Brothers were not trying to make a picture for most people.
"A Serious Man" felt more like a film the Coens made for themselves and their friends. They are daring the world of movie criticism not to like the picture and to admit that they "don't get it." Except few critics will dare admit to that because they don't want to appear disconnected to their peers. So, the movie floats to the very top and is revered without being understood beyond a very basic level. The Coens must know what they're doing even if I don’t get it, right? If you understand what this movie is supposed to be about (not the plot, I’ve got that much) and why it is worthy of being told on film, then please contact me. I’d seriously like to know.
Rated R for language, some sexuality/nudity and brief violence.
