A Serious Man
Seen it?2009 | 106 min | Comedy, Drama
Saturday SpecialWhy it’s a Saturday Special
Critics loved it (89% on Rotten Tomatoes), it made about 4 times its budget and it's still drawing plenty of interest. A strong pick for the weekend.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for anyone who wants a laugh. If you loved Election or Fargo, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Darkly funny.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 46 min.
- What might put you off
- Rated R: meant for adults.
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
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. He scrambles to find a semblance of meaning as he loses control of nearly every aspect of his life.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsVery strong
89% on Rotten Tomatoes, 88 on Metacritic
- AudiencesSolid
6.7 out of 10
- AwardsSolid
Nominated for 2 Oscars.
- Box office & staying powerStrong
$31 million worldwide on a $7 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactStrong
About 335K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by Ethan Coen, Joel Coen
- Michael StuhlbargLarry Gopnik
- Richard KindUncle Arthur
- Fred MelamedSy Ableman
- Sari LennickJudith Gopnik
- Aaron WolffDanny Gopnik
- Jessica McManusSarah Gopnik
- Peter BreitmayerMr. Brandt
- Brent BraunschweigMitch Brandt
- David KangClive Park
- Benjamin PortnoeDanny's Reefer Buddy