A Serious Man – The Coen Brothers….an 8 out of 10 on the Jay Wolin Scale

I have delayed righting anything on this…..I have been thinking about the movie for a week now….which for me is the sign of great movie…..I have to wonder though if someone who did not grow up in the Jewish faith would appreciate it as much as those who did…..the zen like or sometimes incoherent story from the rabbi, the fear of anti-Semitism, the lack of empathy for non Jews, the preparing for the bar mitvah….If one hasn’t experienced that culture, does the story have as much impact….makes one recognize how we might not fully understand the impact of others cultural upbringings...There is nothing subtle about the Coen brothers….and everything is subtle……questions of whether the morality of our actions, impact our life. Is there a cause and effect. Is there divine judgement that follows us and our descendents….For me the point of the movie is something inside of us dies when we do unethical things…..and we are enriched even if not in a material way, for doing a mitzvah (good deed)….and we are being eternally tested…and then we die….the opening quote as the movie starts with says it all “Receive with simplicity everything that happens to you – Rashi – this says it all…for both good and bad….