Video Essay: "The Man Who Knew Too Much"

A video essay by Philip Brubaker exploring the character of Larry Gopnik from the Coen brothers’ 2009 film, A SERIOUS MAN, and how an academic can lose faith in himself. For the accompanying text, visit the Notebook: mubi.io/2oV4vlb
Larry is not interested in stories. He likes equations, simply because there is a correct answer at the end. Ironically, he places too much faith in a story his rabbi tells at a funeral. For someone who lives his life by weighing the evidence and making a reasoned decision, Larry loses faith in himself without good reason. The Coen brothers have explored ineffectual men in other films. In an interview, they referred to Jerry Lundegaard from Fargo as a “numbnuts.” The writer-directors are Larry’s true Hashem, and they assail him with one obstacle after another, which he takes very badly.
For Study Purposes Only.
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[@shrimpflea]

Just look at that parking lot.

[@Mrbede1995]

extraordinary review, keep on guys

[@RishiNigamMusic]

This is incredibly done. Superb job!!

[@kartikjain7105]

Brilliant. U should have included to which movie the video essay was about in the title.

[@yogirocket]

excellent!

[@kimberlyshi1109]

nice essay

[@chrisdiver6224]

This Jewish community reminded me of my middle western Protestant relatives because both are trying to live up to a virtuous formula based in their religions. But living a formula means that you never really grow up and become an adult who can negotiate the real world. Larry is the fullest example of this being the perpetual "nice Jewish boy." Mrs. Samsky and the old Rabbi have stepped beyond the community formula and relate as humane, spontaneous human beings, which Larry finds frightening but means so much to his son. Paradoxically, this being larger then ones communities religious formula is to be authentic - inately religious - is to be fully human which is the answer to the questions the film raises.

[@ironwoman5887]

I agree completely 😀

[@progressiveRAMONETTI]

Cool

[@gordonyana]

Why do we miss the scene of his son meeting Rabbi? He gives the answer

[@all_time_Jelly_Fish]

Jefferson Airplane gives the answer

[@ucntcit]

religion doesn't provide answers though. i like the idea of everyone in the film existing between life and death. that's a good find.

[@saml302]

its schroedingers movie. I thought that was one of the main points it was making

[@andrewhorton5101]

This is awesome but the narrator sounds like he's on quaaludes. Pick it up!

[@mattdavid716]

Religion, simply, cannot answer any question. People who have found answers in religion, have only found comforting lies they willingly choose to believe in. I don't think the Coen's want to paint Larry as insincere in his faith, he tries very hard to adhere to it, but still has all this befall him despite his faith. The truth is, there is no god, and shit happens. Dumb essay about a great film.