A Serious Man

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A Serious Man

R

Released Oct 2, 2009

1h 45m

Comedy

Drama

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Popcornmeter

89%

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221 Reviews

68%

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50,000+ Ratings

Larry Gopnik (Michael Stuhlbarg) is a physics professor at a 1960s university, but his life is coming apart at the seams. His wife (Sari Lennick) is leaving him, his jobless brother (Richard Kind) has moved in, and someone is trying to sabotage his chances for tenure. Larry seeks advice from three different rabbis, but whether anyone can help him overcome his many afflictions remains to be seen.

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Critics Consensus

Blending dark humor with profoundly personal themes, the Coen brothers deliver what might be their most mature -- if not their best -- film to date.

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Deborah Ross

The Spectator

Does have its delicious moments and Michael Stuhlbarg does give an excellent, exasperated, frazzled lead performance... But without any warmth or expansiveness it all seems too cruelly easy and shrivelling somehow.

Aug 30, 2018

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Ed Koch

The Atlantic

The entire script is a mishmash: funny, droll, and anxiety producing, just like daily life in many Jewish families.

Jan 17, 2018

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Candice Frederick

Reel Talk Online

See this movie for a good laugh, and know that no matter what's going on in your life, A Serious Man proves things can certainly get worse.

Rated: B

Sep 11, 2017

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Cory Woodroof

For the Win (USA Today)

The Coens are some of the most interesting directors to ever explore Biblical dynamics in their movies, and A Serious Man is easily one of their best.

Feb 22, 2024

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Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

A tremendously complicated, intelligent, and intriguing motion picture, and arguably the Coen brothers' best, A Serious Man is curious as a narrative but wholly momentous as a parable.

Rated: 4/4

Mar 20, 2022

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Eve Tushnet

Patheos

I loved the Tale of the Goy's Teeth. This parable is worth the (exorbitant) price of admission.

Sep 13, 2021

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Alec B

What everyone dislikes about the movie is exactly what I love about it (the lack of clear answers, the repeated lines, the grilling of organized religion, etc.) and it's great that the Coen's cashed their No Country for Old Men check on this.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

12/08/24

Full Review

helder f

This movie is a bit too flat for my liking. I could not get past the first 45 minutes or so… the characters are all so boring. I understand that some people may relate more to the characters than other people, depending on their background. This movie comes across as a boring family story that falls flat outside of the family. I think the main character could have worked better if he had some quirks or any depth, but he’s so lifeless. I didn’t find any of the characters likable.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

11/15/24

Full Review

Christopher L

It took me a couple of viewings to realize this films brilliance. This movie may seem aimless and mundane at times, but that’s the point I feel. Essentially I interpret its meaning to be the central characters attempt to find meaning in the arbitrary and coincidental, and how the chaotic nature of existence can test faith to the breaking point. Lots of other meanings and parables sprinkled throughout, so if you’re in an existential place while watching this I think you will be in for a good time. The characters are all fascinating as well, with the usual Coen brothers humor.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

11/04/24

Full Review

Mike M

Boring, pointless, felt like watching a joke without a punchline.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

11/01/24

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Mason M

I was surprised while watching this film, how much I saw of myself in Lawrence Gopnik, that I have never seen depicted in film before. His inability to stand up for himself, having trouble finding room to talk in a conversation, his wanting to understand everything. A Serious Man takes what sounds like a terrible concept, and makes it an amazing film with beautiful photography with bright and vivid colors, engaging dialogue, and one of the best lead performances I've ever seen in a film. A Serious Man may not be for everybody, but it was definitely for me.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

11/16/24

Full Review

Joe H

What a waste of my time. I expected some interesting ending after all that boredom, but the ending meant nothing. I'll give it 1 star because it captured the 60s pretty well.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

09/12/24

Full Review

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Joel Coen

Director

Ethan Coen

Director

Michael Stuhlbarg

Larry Gopnik

Richard Kind

Uncle Arthur

Fred Melamed

Sy Ableman

Sari Lennick

Judith Gopnik

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A Serious Man: Official Clip - Living Arrangements

2:38

A Serious Man: Official Clip - The Columbia Record Club

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A Serious Man: Official Clip - Hardly a Crime

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A Serious Man: Official Clip - I Am Not An Evil Man!

1:59

A Serious Man: Official Clip - The Bar Mitzvah

3:28

A Serious Man: Official Clip - Impending Storm

2:21

A Serious Man: Official Clip - Serious as a Heart Attack

1:58

A Serious Man: Official Clip - The Junior Rabbi

3:19

A Serious Man: Official Clip - The Uncertainty Principle

1:59

A Serious Man: Official Clip - Not a Frivolous Request

1:57

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Synopsis

Larry Gopnik (Michael Stuhlbarg) is a physics professor at a 1960s university, but his life is coming apart at the seams. His wife (Sari Lennick) is leaving him, his jobless brother (Richard Kind) has moved in, and someone is trying to sabotage his chances for tenure. Larry seeks advice from three different rabbis, but whether anyone can help him overcome his many afflictions remains to be seen.

Director: Joel Coen, Ethan Coen
Producer: Joel Coen, Ethan Coen
Screenwriter: Joel Coen, Ethan Coen
Distributor: Focus Features
Production Co: Studio Canal, Working Title Films
Rating: R (Language|Brief Violence|Some Nudity)
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 2, 2009, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 18, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA): $9.2M
Runtime: 1h 45m

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