One doesn’t need to be “intelligent” to understand that the film was poorly written and underdeveloped. I “get” the film…I also get that the Coen’s have once again copped out on a resolution. Writing a beginning and a middle are easy, it’s the appropriate ending that is always the hardest and it shows. While just ending a movie may work the first time, it’s a device that soon wears thin and one the Coen’s have overused. You betcha. I’m just surprised they didn’t throw in Frances McDormand for good measure.
Jason—Your assumption that you belong in the “majority of the audience” is based on what exactly?
Ya know, jason’s just a troll, let it all slide. As is Suz, check out the profiles.
Jason probably wasn’t in the majority of the audience, because there was no majority. The movie had no audience as the domestic gross shows at under $10 million shows.
Jason: I watched it with about… 7 other people… no one in the room seemed confused by it. Just sayin’. So from where I’m sitting, with you being the only person I’ve encountered who is completely oblivious to the film’s meaning, /you/ are, in fact, the minority here.
I’m just playin around. No real belief on my part that it’s really worthwhile.
If I have two pet peeves on this site they’re willful ignorance and intellectual dishonesty.
Moderated
ULI CAIN IS WRITING ‘ESTIGIA’ – it is quite rude to call someone a troll just because they haven’t filled out a profile. I just discovered this site and was reading the comments on a topic I was interested in as I recently watched “A Serious Man.” If you can’t come up with a better argument than that I don’t see the point. Or, maybe I just don’t “get” your meaning. I am not an internet troll and will happily fill out a profile once I get the chance.
It just happens that two ‘new’ people jump on the same thread… nah.
Jason, why yes, yes they are. How’d you know?
ULI CAIN IS WRITING ‘ESTIGIA’ – Um, yes, it does so happen that two new people happen on the same thread. More than one person can’t be interested in a topic? Seriously? Then are all of you others on here one person? Or is it that you don’t believe in coincidence…maybe the coincidence of changing a grade being followed by a call from a doctor? I thought we were discussing a movie topic and not doing a background check.
And Jason, Suz, there’s no point to argue. As I already posted, you didn’t like it, you didn’t see the meaning, okay, it’s all subjective.
My other pet peeve is trolls.
Lona…I didnt know, but since you “got” the reference I did a better job than the Coen brothers.
Jason’s argument is flawed from the start based upon his opening hyperbole, and statement the writers failed to convey the point to the audience, no, they may have not pandered to all and left people to consider what they thought the film on their own. As for the the Coens peaking at BL, Suz, yeah it’s a great film, but the Coens try something different with each film and not every film is gonna be slam bang.
Suz and Jason are the same person.
Wow…I am 2 people! Amazing! That is almost as ridiculous as the film itslef!
And Suz, you claim the Coens peaked with BL, yet you rate Oh Brother Where Art Thou? higher.
Oy
I would rate watching paint dry as better than the film in question.
Jason, then move on.
Suz…don’t argue with Cain. He killed Able. These people are fanatical.
I can appreciate that people might be a bit p*ssed off at an ending that provides no resolution or closure. But sometimes the best art doesn’t provide that. It doesn’t make for box office smash hits – so what? It can still be interesting to speculate on what the meaning of the work might have been – I for one get enjoyment from movies that leave me pondering their possible meanings. Just because we can’t figure it all out definitively doesn’t mean that there is no point. I don’t believe the Coens are or a mindset to put something out just to give the finger to their audience.
“What is the meaning…!” is the cry from those who demand closure – but what if the whole point or message of the film is that life is meaningless or that we live in a Godless universe? Sure that’s a hard thing for some people to contemplate, but there have been plenty of artists and intellectuals and philosophers who have held such a perspective. I personally don’t feel that life is meaningless, but I do think that “A Serious Man” is a clever and enjoyable take on the clash between a traditional faith-based take on the world and a nihilistic one.
Bugsy…how hard can it be to make a film about nothing with no meaning? Anyone could write this film! It was not clever! It was not enjoyable! It was easy and pointless! I don’t need to spend money for someone to try and tell me that the universe has no meaning! That is a given unless otherwise proven!
Willful ignorance. The meaning is there if you care to find it.
Moderator…Suz and I are not the same person…DSL will allow at least 500 people to share the same IP address. Get a clue.
oy
Moderated
‘Muzzle,’ really? Interesting.
Coen Brothers are not deep. it’s very important for people to remember that. They are more playful directors with ideas and certain quirks that make them appealing, but i think it’s a mistake to read too much into their films. if i’m going to discuss philosophical ideas and relate them to film, the Coens are one of the last directors i’d turn to. although admittedly A Serious Man is a far more interesting engagement with these kind of ideas than The Man Who Wasn’t There.
I thought A Serious Man was pretty obvious to be honest. All the points about uncertainty and the indifference of the universe came through at all the right moments. the film just wasn’t great, at least not imo. decent, but nothing special.
we all have our opinions of course, and i actually thought the ending was effective. If they held on that tornado a little longer, it would have been completely trite, but they cut away at just the right moment.
Jason
Lona…Clearly your superiority complex is overwhelming your attempt to understand reality. You have further argued to make my point stronger. You may indeed understand the film, but once again I reiterate that the writer(s) have failed to communicate with a majority of the audience! Most people who witness this work of “art” will go away wondering why they wasted about 2 hours of their life and how they can possibly get them back.