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Created Mar 05, 2010 09:31PM PST • Edited Mar 06, 2010 01:08PM PST

1. Quality

2. Summary

   Very Good 3.5

   Starting with the opening scene, I knew Serious Man was going to be an engaging. The Coen brothers immediately put you on your toes – waiting for something unexpected. A Goy like me may not have grown up with all the Jewish references, but the view of Larry Gopnick’s deteriorating life speaks to all of us. The loss of control and the humor that can be seen in the surreal misfortune is a hallmark of this film, which produced a steady stream of dark laughs like only Coen movies can produce.

4. Acting

   Very Good 3.5

   Well done acting all around. The center of attention is Michael Stuhlbarg as an ill-fate attracting physics professor. Michael has a solid performance, which is no small feat considering the macrabe situations he needs to hold a straight face during. My pick for the movie is Fred Melamed as Sy Abelman — who has to be one of the most annoying characters I have ever seen. Appearances from Richard Kind (uncle Arthur) and Adam Arkin (the lawyer) were classic.

5. Male Stars Very Good 3.5

6. Female Stars Very Good 3.5

7. Female Costars Very Good 3.5

8. Male Costars Very Good 3.5

10. Film

    Very Good 3.5

    Accurate or not, the Coen’s pull off a funny characterizations of Jewish urban life in the 60’s. The 60’s recreation was great to see – not many details were overlooked.. Starting the movie with a made-up Yiddish folk-tale sets a tone that has you searching for a meaning — which in a way was there, but in another way seemed disjoint. In the end, the movie leaves its mark as another in a trail of uniquely well done Coen movies.

11. Direction Very Good 3.5

12. Play Very Good 3.5

13. Music Very Good 3.5

14. Visuals Very Good 3.5
15. Content

16. Edge

    Tame 1.5

17. Sex Innocent 1.5

18. Violence Gentle 1.5

19. Rudeness Polite 1.5

21. Reality

    Glib 2.0

22. Circumstantial Glib 2.0

23. Biological Glib 2.0

24. Physical Glib 2.0