Café Society - 2/5

This this is a depressing tragedy of human moral weakness. It’s has great sets and costuming, but its main actors are miscast in their roles and struggle to melt into them. The story starts out witty and smart, but after the tragic drama begins finds itself unable to find purpose for its own existence. If you’re in the mood for a flashy dramedy with lots of pointless melodrama that never resolves then this is the film for you.

Closest comparison: It’s like Marriage Story by way of The Great Gadsby.

Setting: Romance
Plot: Tragedy
Tone: Comedy

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