Focus Features, the distributor of A Serious Man, have put up a Web site devoted to varied aspects of the Coen brothers’ film — now available in DVD and Blue-Ray formats for home viewing.
Amy Landecker stars as Mrs. Samsky, shown here with Michael Stuhlbarg, who plays protagonist Larry Gopnik, in writer/directors Joel and Ethan Coen’s “A Serious Man.”
One section of the Web site probes the question:Â How did the Jewish community react to the Coen’s “Jewish” film?
There is an introduction to the section:
While the Coen Brothers’ comedy A Serious Man touches on such universal issues as death, fate, and smoking pot, its specifically Jewish characters have touched off fierce debate in the Jewish community about the drama and its relation to Jewish theology. Below we have mapped out various responses to give a road map of what A Serious Man has meant to certain Jewish pundits and writers.
This paragraph is followed by 10 excerpts from film reviews in Jewish publications and blogs (and the New York Times) — the American Jewish World’s review, by our San Francisco-based critic Michael Fox, tops the list.
Fox judged the film, which was shot in Twin Cities, in 2008, “a rare pleasure for Jewish audiences, and something of a mystery for non-Jewish moviegoers.” Further, he deemed “the movie required viewing for all American Jews above the age of, well, 17 (at least without a parent, per the R rating).”
All Serious Man Movie Extras, Family, Friends and Fans
At Bnai Emet Synagogue on March 21, 2010 @ 7:00 p.m.
Celebrating Bnai Emet Synagogue’s Involvement in the Coen Brothers’ Academy Award nominated, A Serious Man film
(The Location for the Bar Mitzvah, an office and funeral scenes of the movie)
Featuring Guest Speaker, Star Tribune Movie Critic, Colin Covert.
Including Surprises, Music, Discussion and a Reception.
Please join us and help get the word out! It will be fun and we’ll be doing a mitzvah for those in Haiti and those in need of food. They really have real Tzuris.
In lieu of gifts for the Bar Mitzvah character, Danny Gopnik, we welcome donations for relief efforts in Haiti and S.L.P food shelf.
RSVP for A Serious Night to info@bnaiemet.org
952-927-7309