New Coen Bros. Movie - A Serious Man

[El Mudo]

Looks awesome :thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:


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[RhinoinMN]

Your gonna love it. The script was great.

[Gerald]

Brilliant trailer.

Between this and Shutter Island it could be an October to remember.

[JerseyRich]

Oh man! Looks fantastic.

Can't wait.

Can we just admit that the Coen brothers are the best thing to happen to film in the last 25 years?

[thepaulo]

looking forward to the True Grit remake.

[Gerald]

Other October releases of note: Anti-Christ, Where the Wild Things Are, Zombieland, The Road, Amelia, The Box.

[RhinoinMN]

Oh man! Looks fantastic.

Can't wait.

Can we just admit that the Coen brothers are the best thing to happen to film in the last 25 years?

Aye Aye!

[TheGameHHH]

Burn after Reading was a huge let down for me and this movie doesn't look that good either

[KingModem]

I was on the set last year. My sister in law is an extra. Couldn't believe all the Jewish people that came out of the woodwork in Minneapolis....

This will be a magnificent flick!

[TheMojoPin]

Looks good, but I wish they hadn't given up on making Hail Caesar for the time being. That one sounded like it would have been great.

[TheMojoPin]

Can we just admit that the Coen brothers are the best thing to happen to film in the last 25 years?

Love the Coens and for the longest time I thought this but I think personally I put Paul Thmoas Anderson ahead of them as the active filmmaker I HAVE to see.

[Furtherman]

Can we just admit that the Coen brothers are the best thing to happen to film in the last 25 years?

They're up there for movies from filmmakers you look forward to seeing.

Burn After Reading was crap, with the exception of the JK Simmons and Sledgehammer scenes.

This preview looks like they're reverting back to a Barton Fink type of storytelling.

[PD]

was this the movie trailer they were talking about?

I heard "rabbi" and I thought it was the rumored Coen Bros doing The Yiddish Policemen's Union.

http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117980719.html?categoryid=1236&cs=1

http://www.slashfilm.com/2008/02/12/coen-brothers-to-direct-michael-chabons-the-yiddish-policemans-union/

[pennington]

Looks pretty good. At least George Clooney isn't in it.

The woman in that clip looks like the old Jim Varney character:

http://www.jimvarney.org/erniewoman.jpg

[realmenhatelife]

I'm very excited for this- it looks like it has the potential to be somewhat existential

[KnoxHarrington]

They're up there for movies from filmmakers you look forward to seeing.

Burn After Reading was crap, with the exception of the JK Simmons and Sledgehammer scenes.

This preview looks like they're reverting back to a Barton Fink type of storytelling.

I don't think Burn After Reading was crap, but I would place it in the lower rank of their movies.

I think, in a lot of ways, for one of their movies to work, there has to be someone in them you sympathize with, or at least like. A kind of moral center, in a way. Sheriff Bell in No Country, Marge in Fargo, The Dude in The Big Lebowski, Tom in Millers Crossing...but in Burn After Reading, there wasn't anyone who was really likeable. So your reaction to what befalls them echos the reaction JK Simmons has when he's told Ozzy has been shot: "Good."

[grlNIN]

I'm very excited for this- it looks like it has the potential to be somewhat existential

They're way existential.

http://i26.tinypic.com/2la8qja.jpg

[TheMojoPin]

Saw a screening for this over the past week and it's really, REALLY good. Honestly, I think it might be the bleakest thing the Coens have every done. It's definitely the most personal of all their films, by far. It's incredibly nihilistic. Barely recognized anyone in the cast but by and large the performances are outstanding. There's a whole Book of Job thing going that's pretty interesting.

Knox, Larry Gopnik might be the most sympathetic protagonist they've come up with.

Good stuff.

[KingModem]

Good movie. Unfortunately, if you are not Jewish or have a strong background with Jewish culture, you may have some difficulties.

[Furtherman]

Unfortunately, if you are not Jewish or have a strong background with Jewish culture, you may have some difficulties.

Celebrating Hanukkah? Because I always liked that different gift every night shtick.

[August_West]

Seems very jewy to me
I ll rent it.

[west milly Tom]

The trailer was great and I never miss a cb movie. This is the first I heard of it too so thanks.

[Ocho Cinco]

They're way existential.

http://i26.tinypic.com/2la8qja.jpg

haha that was great grlnin. but yeah i can't wait to check this out, i never even heard of this until i saw this thread, this board ain't too bad sometimes. cohen bros are ridiculously good, i will see anything they do and am fired up for this

[bradleyjerome]

Just saw it. I'd say that it's my new favorite Coen movie, but I'll wait to make that judgment after the glow wears off.

[IamFogHat]

Can't wait.

[hammersavage]

Good movie. Unfortunately, if you are not Jewish or have a strong background with Jewish culture, you may have some difficulties.

I can see this point.


Just saw it. I liked it. I was waiting for a tipping point in the story and it pretty much comes right at the last moment. I kinda wish it had come sooner.

I'd say its the most like Barton Fink if I had to compare it to another one of their movies.

[Ocho Cinco]

Love the Coens and for the longest time I thought this but I think personally I put Paul Thmoas Anderson ahead of them as the active filmmaker I HAVE to see.

PTA is def the money but Wes is the Anderson i HAVE to see when his films come out. although the previews for fantastic mr fox are just bizarre, not sure what to think yet...

but anyways the cohens are really incredible, i will def see this and probably love it. i don't even think i can pick a favorite cohen bros movie, it's just too close to call for me

[epo]

PTA is def the money but Wes is the Anderson i HAVE to see when his films come out. although the previews for fantastic mr fox are just bizarre, not sure what to think yet...

but anyways the cohens are really incredible, i will def see this and probably love it. i don't even think i can pick a favorite cohen bros movie, it's just too close to call for me

We want your favorite right now! (http://www.ronfez.net/forums/showthread.php?t=30759&highlight=coen)

[foodcourtdruide]

Saw it. Was amazing. Agree that you need some familiarity with Jewish culture.

[Ocho Cinco]

We want your favorite right now! (http://www.ronfez.net/forums/showthread.php?t=30759&highlight=coen)

you bastard, now you're gonna make me think about this...

[realmenhatelife]

I liked it a lot, but know that I wasn't getting all of the allusions or jokes about suburban jewish culture. There was a gang of jews laughing thier balls off in my theater.


Cohens are the finest all around active American filmmakers, anyone who wants to bring up wes anderson is talking total nonsense.

[KnoxHarrington]

I liked it a lot, but know that I wasn't getting all of the allusions or jokes about suburban jewish culture. There was a gang of jews laughing thier balls off in my theater.


Cohens are the finest all around active American filmmakers, anyone who wants to bring up wes anderson is talking total nonsense.

Wes Anderson has the Coens' visual style down cold, but his movies end up being all surface and hollow, with no resonance.

He'll never make "No Country for Old Men". Or "The Big Lebowski", or "Fargo", or "Barton Fink", or "Millers Crossing", one of those movies that really leaves a mark on you. You watch a Wes Anderson movie and you're like "Oh, that's nice," but there's no real impact.

[pennington]

I just rented it; good, but bleak. If you're feeling suicidal, just stick with the booze and rent something else.

Although I'm not Jewish, it wasn't hard to figure out the references. They also have an explanation of the Jewish terms in the Special Features section, so it would be a good idea to watch that first. I liked it but it was a strange movie for the Coens to make.

[Dougie Brootal]

i rented it and upon first viewing, it was entertaining, but i dont think it was their best. maybe cuz i didnt get alot of the jewish stuff. i will give it another go around tho.

[Dan 'Hampton]

In route. Can't wait I'll check out the special features thing first.

[realmenhatelife]

Wes Anderson has the Coens' visual style down cold, but his movies end up being all surface and hollow, with no resonance.

He'll never make "No Country for Old Men". Or "The Big Lebowski", or "Fargo", or "Barton Fink", or "Millers Crossing", one of those movies that really leaves a mark on you. You watch a Wes Anderson movie and you're like "Oh, that's nice," but there's no real impact.

Yes, exactly, every Wes Anderson movie comes across like someone asked a hipster android to describe human emotion.

[burrben]

i loved it.

[Willmore]

When I first saw this movie, I thought it was OK. But then I started thinking about it and now I really like it. It wasn't even a re-watching, I've seen it just the once right now, but over time, something clicked with me. The movie is like this crescendo of suffering for this man, culminating in this giant fuck you from the world.

I'm going to watch it again eventually, and see if my changed impression over time has any validity, but right now, I really like it.

[Dan 'Hampton]

Really liked it. I had to read more about it afterwards to cement the whole thing. Picked up on the loose Job references early on, and kinda liked how it tied in with the final scene. Obviously been said a million times but love how their movies look.

[Suspect Chin]

Saw it last night on Blu Ray. I thought it was good but easily in the bottom tier of their work. They've made movies before where everything goes wrong for the main character. But in the past, there was a payoff where the character's top finally blew up. It never really did in this movie. There was no double crossing, plot twists, etc. that they are known for. Again, I thought it was good, but not near their best.

[Slumbag]

They've made movies before where everything goes wrong for the main character. But in the past, there was a payoff where the character's top finally blew up. It never really did in this movie.
This is just my interpretation of the movie, and I don't know if this is what they were going for.

He decides he's gonna take the money, and change the kids grade. As soon as he does that, his doctor called to tell him his test results came back, and they weren't good. And also, his kid was about to get sucked into a tornado. It's like the whole movie he was grasping and trying to hold on to his faith and beliefs. The second he lets go of that, his whole world turns to shit. To me, it seemed like the ultimate blow up. You think everything is gonna be fine, and God smacks Larry in the face for going against his beliefs.
Again, that could be all bullshit.

My only complaint with it was that I didn't know a lot of the Jew stuff they were talking about, but it didn't ruin the movie for me. I dug it a lot.

[Enabler]

Finally watched this lat nite. I didnt get it. I will watch it again, but I didnt get the whole opening sequence. Or what was up with his brother. It just seemed sloppy to me. But I will watch again and pay more attention.

I did like the movie. The Korean stuff, Dick Dutton, the kids were very funny and the Sy character was great. I also loved the ending, especially the Rabbi's speech to the boy.

I also noticed that when Larry firs gets his messages in the beginning, one of them said "Unjust Test Results"..........I also noticed that the Coen Bros used Tuckman Marsh as a legal firm again. They used it in Burn After Reading didnt they?

[ANC]

I watched this Sunday morning, I honestly thought I missed something or was expecting some other culmination of the story. I thought it was ok kinda middle of the road, but reading Slumbag's interpretation of it sheds a lot of light on it for me. Thanks!

I'm still unlearning a lot of expectations that the Hollywood formula pushes I guess.

But can someone please explain the relevance of the prologue? To get us in a Jewish frame of mind?

[Serpico1103]

Didn't enjoy "a serious man." Liked other coen bros movies. Just never connected to the story. Disappointed by the ending. Wasn't bad, just was "ehh."

[realmenhatelife]

This is just my interpretation of the movie, and I don't know if this is what they were going for.

He decides he's gonna take the money, and change the kids grade. As soon as he does that, his doctor called to tell him his test results came back, and they weren't good. And also, his kid was about to get sucked into a tornado. It's like the whole movie he was grasping and trying to hold on to his faith and beliefs. The second he lets go of that, his whole world turns to shit. To me, it seemed like the ultimate blow up. You think everything is gonna be fine, and God smacks Larry in the face for going against his beliefs.
Again, that could be all bullshit.

My only complaint with it was that I didn't know a lot of the Jew stuff they were talking about, but it didn't ruin the movie for me. I dug it a lot.


I agree up to a point. It's definately a Job story and the culmination is supposed to make you think 'yes, Larry shouldn't have been so fixated on all of that annoying stuff because now he is faced with two huge problems that dwarf his old problems, and he was never greatful that these huge problems weren't present in his life.' But I dont think Larry is a failed Job, because the story ends with the opening of two problems we dont see resolved, and how will Larry take these? I wouldn't say the ending is fully his punishment, you could also see it as a continued test. Job we tested both ways that Larry is at the end of the movie, and ofcourse Job persisted.

The Cohens treat ambiguity in a much more skillfull way than most story tellers. They've got to be the best at it in film, and they're much better at it than most people in literature.

[Kublakhan61]

This is just my interpretation of the movie, and I don't know if this is what they were going for.

He decides he's gonna take the money, and change the kids grade. As soon as he does that, his doctor called to tell him his test results came back, and they weren't good. And also, his kid was about to get sucked into a tornado. It's like the whole movie he was grasping and trying to hold on to his faith and beliefs. The second he lets go of that, his whole world turns to shit. To me, it seemed like the ultimate blow up. You think everything is gonna be fine, and God smacks Larry in the face for going against his beliefs.
Again, that could be all bullshit.

My only complaint with it was that I didn't know a lot of the Jew stuff they were talking about, but it didn't ruin the movie for me. I dug it a lot.

I didn't interpret the final scene as the kid staring down death (and definitely about to die) as much I thought that the kid was staring into the face of God and having to decide whether he was going to choose to look in astonishment at the absolute wonder of life and living on Earth or choose to pity himself (like his Father) and take the path of the Schlemiel. I got here from the first scene with the Dybbuk - was it or wasn't it? We choose our own interpretation of life's events - those interpretations can inform the rest of our lives. So, does the boy break the chain or live in fear of Hashem?

A Top 5 Coens film in my opinion.

[Slumbag]

I didn't interpret the final scene as the kid staring down death (and definitely about to die) as much I thought that the kid was staring into the face of God and having to decide whether he was going to choose to look in astonishment at the absolute wonder of life and living on Earth or choose to pity himself (like his Father) and take the path of the Schlemiel. I got here from the first scene with the Dybbuk - was it or wasn't it? We choose our own interpretation of life's events - those interpretations can inform the rest of our lives. So, does the boy break the chain or live in fear of Hashem?

A Top 5 Coens film in my opinion.

I think you may be totally right.
For some reason, I just didn't pay attention to the opening story in relation to the rest of the story. I guess I thought it was just some old Jewish story that was unrelated to the rest of the film.

I think Imma check it out again.