In 1967, Minnesota physics professor Larry Gopnik (Michael Stuhlbarg) learns that his wife is cheating on him and wants divorce, and that he plays no vital role in his children’s lives. The Coen brothers certainly know and love the period and Jewish culture portrayed in this comedy; its style and dark sense of humor will appeal even to those who are less familiar with it. As our unfortunate protagonist tries in vain to get some answers from organized religion, we in the audience realize that we won’t get any either. Still, a good cast and a few interesting thoughts on the conditions of adulthood.
2009-U.S.-France-Britain. 105 min. Color. Produced, written and directed byĀ Ethan Coen, Joel Coen. Cast: Michael Stuhlbarg (Larry Gopnik), Richard Kind (Arthur Gopnik), Fred Melamed (Sy Ableman), Sari Lennick, Adam Arkin, Aaron Wolff… Michael Lerner.