This is an inexplicably and philosophically dark comedy.
Its protagonist, Larry, is a lackluster professor at a dull university. Then his life starts to unravel: his wife decides to leave him for one of his more successful colleagues; his unemployed brother moves in to stay on his couch.
So Larry ventures on a quest for meaning and clarity within his Jewish community.
All Cohen Brothers fans will appreciate the movie’s aesthetics and comedic strength. The protagonist’s struggle will resonate with anyone who has had a religious upbringing: guilt is a big theme here.
I felt like I had to rewatch it to understand it. But I also enjoyed that weird sense of not understanding everything that’s going on. Much like life itself.
The film rightfully earned itself two nominations for the Oscars, including Best Picture.
"For proof of comedy and tragedy's close relationship, watch this. Larry is essentially having a nervous breakdown yet it's the Coens' most humanely funny script in years."
— James King
"A sincerely sympathetic portrait of an American family man in crisis - even as it insults its characters and derides their culture."
— Michael Atkinson
It is 1967, and Larry Gopnik, a physics professor at a quiet Midwestern university, has just been informed by his wife Judith that she is leaving him. She has fallen in love with one of his more pompous acquaintances Sy Ableman.
Other
1 nomination
Got about 50 minutes into this. Not funny. Not dramatic. Not scary. Just boring. If you are pompous, arrogant, and think that pedophile Woody Allen is funny, then you might like small parts of this movie.
Sad attempt at making you feel intellectually superior. Can I have the hours of my life back?
Hank is right. The movie was pointless and a little painful to watch. I was expecting the main character to go postal but he didn’t, who knows maybe if he had I’d give this movie one star instead of 1/2 a star.
One of the most thematically consistent movies I’ve ever seen. It’s slow and subtle, and so it may not be your bag, but it will sit with you a long time. Has a lot to say on how we deal with uncertainty.