Shout by Tony Bates

A Serious Man 2009

“…’The Uncertainty Principle.’ It proves that you can’t ever really know what’s going on. But even though you can’t figure anything out, you will be responsible for it on the midterm.”

Two particularly standout sequences here: the opening parable about the dybbuk and the rabbi’s shaggy dog tale of the goy’s teeth. One’s opinion of the movie might depend on how cynical you’re feeling on the day you watch it. I think my initial thoughts years ago was that it was pretty mean-spirited, in that way the Coen brothers can get sometimes. But upon rewatch I felt the comedy come through a bit more cleanly, and little throwaway details (Jefferson Airplane, F-Troop) which are surely autobiographical made the tone feel a lot more affectionate. Either way, the movie is brilliantly funny and expertly crafted.

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