Michael Stuhlbarg

A Serious Man - 1/5

This is what happens when you take interesting, quirky characters and do nothing with them. It’s full of cringe comedy and nothing else, which just emphasizes the hopelessness of the characters’ lives. It’s too vicious to be funny, too dry to be interesting, and too boring to be memorable. Of course it’s competently acted and filmed, but if nothing happens what good is it?

Closest comparison: It’s the community drama of Edward Scissorhands and the family drama of My Big, Fat, Greek Wedding but with none of the life, color, alacrity, or interest.

Setting: Drama
Plot: Drama
Tone: Drama