02-10-2010, 12:31 PM
Ok, so I watched this last night. I'm still torn on it because there was a lot to digest, and it ends abruptly. I thought the acting and dialogue were excellent, but the story could have used some work. I won't give away any spoilers, but it's safe to say that this movie presents more problems than it provides answers. That ultimately was the intent of the story, to make you examine your life, your regrets and focus on the bigger picture, and then take a hard look at that as well. Life as a paradox.
I get the sense that this movie was a passion project for the Coens, and that a lot of their childhood upbringing and personality quirks are revealed here. At the same time, this is why it is such a difficult film to evaluate. Life isn't a cut and paste hollywood script, so why try to present it in that way? One of the most fascinating things about this film is the religious undercurrent, but keep in mind that you don't need to be Jewish or have gone to Hebrew school to appreciate it. I think anyone who has been instilled with any sort of strict religion in their life can relate. In stark contrast to faith and the unknown, mathematics and absolutes also play a major part in the story, and you get the sense that the main character Larry and his brother Arthur have always carried around a healthy amount of doubt throughout their lives, being physicists/mathematicians, yet this is just now coming to the surface in a frightening (but still manages to be funny) way for these men. Nothing makes sense anymore. Anyway, I'll stop rambling because it is better to go into this with an open mind. My opinion of this film will probably evolve over time, and I may need to watch it again in the near future. There is just a ton here to think about.
3.5/5 stars.
I get the sense that this movie was a passion project for the Coens, and that a lot of their childhood upbringing and personality quirks are revealed here. At the same time, this is why it is such a difficult film to evaluate. Life isn't a cut and paste hollywood script, so why try to present it in that way? One of the most fascinating things about this film is the religious undercurrent, but keep in mind that you don't need to be Jewish or have gone to Hebrew school to appreciate it. I think anyone who has been instilled with any sort of strict religion in their life can relate. In stark contrast to faith and the unknown, mathematics and absolutes also play a major part in the story, and you get the sense that the main character Larry and his brother Arthur have always carried around a healthy amount of doubt throughout their lives, being physicists/mathematicians, yet this is just now coming to the surface in a frightening (but still manages to be funny) way for these men. Nothing makes sense anymore. Anyway, I'll stop rambling because it is better to go into this with an open mind. My opinion of this film will probably evolve over time, and I may need to watch it again in the near future. There is just a ton here to think about.
3.5/5 stars.