MOVIE REVIEW … A SERIOUS MAN

MOVIE REVIEW … A SERIOUS MAN

Never ones resting on their laurels, Joel and Ethan Coen's films have shown determined diversity. The directorial brothers can be cheeky sometimes as their gleefulness in playing with audiences finds them shifting between crime, drama and comedy with ease. Viewers have embraced their unique perspectives with each outing eagerly awaited. It'll be interesting to see how A Serious Man fares, as this more personal project unearths a black recollection of their youth. During 1967's long hot summer, Jewish physics professor Larry (Michael Stuhlbarg) is in a quandary. With his marriage falling apart, his children ignoring him and other traumas, he seeks a solution. He thinks he finds this with a group of Rabbis who extol the virtues of their path with a platitude of confusing statements. Befuddled by the conflicting advice, Larry's life turns into a serious of mis-understandings where hopefulness is in short supply. A Serious Man finds the Coen's ability in creating tension from the most mundane situations in full flight. As they pile more problems onto Larry's hapless existence, each dilemma is given the brother's peculiar twist. Wonderfully portrayed by Stuhlbarg, you really feel sorry for his character as his stressed persona attempts to conquer a plethora of personal selfishness. This is especially felt in his familial interactions, as each member draws out their own needs from Larry without offering anything in return. This percolation of anxiety is always slowing rippling under the surface, ensuring the viewer never knows what will next arrive. Although certainly an acquired taste, A Serious Man benefits from some well written characters and crackling dialogue. These work wonderfully as the script's episodic nature builds each incident gradually towards an enigmatic finale. Not every question receives answers, although the Coen's have never been ones to spoon feed audiences with formulaic dross. There's always something to think about after seeing one of their films, and Larry's constant search for enlightenment in his increasingly frantic life mirrors some facets of today's fast moving society. Less a dig at Judaism than an essay on conformity, A Serious Man reveals the Coen's adventurous spirit still shines. Definitely something to be thankful for, you have to admire their gift in pushing their talents in new and quirky directions. Movie Review Rating 7 / 10 Movie Review by Patrick Moore A Serious Man released in Australia on Thursday 20th November 2009. If you have any comments to make about this Movie Review, then please use the comment box, titling your comments with Movie Review A Serious Man Patrick Moore's Movie Review is an alternative look at current movie releases in Australia. Official HomePage click HERE