Comments on: A Serious Man http://BrandonFibbs.com/2009/10/08/a-serious-man/ Tue, 29 Nov 2011 03:05:13 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: rick finholt http://BrandonFibbs.com/2009/10/08/a-serious-man/comment-page-1/#comment-2260 rick finholt Thu, 12 Nov 2009 23:47:22 +0000 http://BrandonFibbs.com/?p=1497#comment-2260 Nailed it. This is the best analysis of this strange, funny film I've read. My own sense is that Larry and Judith and the kids and the others are obsessing in an ancient, abiding Hebrew way on liminal rituals (the Bar Mitzvah, marriage, the funeral, coveting thy neighbor's wife, being anointed by the tenure committee, etc.) on settling accounts (the $4k, the $20), and on keeping the peace in small ways (take the payoff but keep it balanced and in check by giving the kid only a C, no, make that a C-), when suddenly, inexplicably, JEHOVAH appears to settle all accounts His way, with a Sodom-and Gomorrah, plague-and-pestilence, out-of-all-proportion kind of rage, while one more in a long line of hapless Rabbis struggles to find the key. Shit not only happens, say the Coens, there's Somebody up there making sure it happens, because "vengence is mine" is mine and all that. As Woody Allen once observed in a short story, "Mr. Big," being one of Chosen People is an honor roughly comparable to being a shop keeper being billed by the Mafia for services rendered under the auspices of its Protection Racket. Nailed it. This is the best analysis of this strange, funny film I’ve read. My own sense is that Larry and Judith and the kids and the others are obsessing in an ancient, abiding Hebrew way on liminal rituals (the Bar Mitzvah, marriage, the funeral, coveting thy neighbor’s wife, being anointed by the tenure committee, etc.) on settling accounts (the $4k, the $20), and on keeping the peace in small ways (take the payoff but keep it balanced and in check by giving the kid only a C, no, make that a C-), when suddenly, inexplicably, JEHOVAH appears to settle all accounts His way, with a Sodom-and Gomorrah, plague-and-pestilence, out-of-all-proportion kind of rage, while one more in a long line of hapless Rabbis struggles to find the key. Shit not only happens, say the Coens, there’s Somebody up there making sure it happens, because “vengence is mine” is mine and all that. As Woody Allen once observed in a short story, “Mr. Big,” being one of Chosen People is an honor roughly comparable to being a shop keeper being billed by the Mafia for services rendered under the auspices of its Protection Racket.

]]> By: jT http://BrandonFibbs.com/2009/10/08/a-serious-man/comment-page-1/#comment-2111 jT Sun, 25 Oct 2009 01:45:28 +0000 http://BrandonFibbs.com/?p=1497#comment-2111 Brandon- I think you should post that paragraph on the Jefferson Airplane mantra. I'd be interested in reading your take on that. I think its overtly obvious that one of the Coen's central themes in much of their work (this film in particular) addresses the nihilistic philosophy that "life is overseen by an absent or a vindictive God". However, regarding your opinion that "'You better find somebody to love' bears no relation to the God/nihilism question", I respectfully disagree. If you accept that 'finding someone to love' is, in fact, the Coen's "antidote" to their seemingly nihilistic God philosophy, then by definition, the two are in fact related, and more so: quite possibly the solution, or answer to this difficult question. Merriam-Webster's definition of antidote: 1: a remedy to counteract the effects of poison 2: something that relieves, prevents, or counteracts Perhaps 'finding someone to love' is far more than a band-aid fix. Conceivably, it could actually counteract- possibly even prevent, one's life from being overseen by an absent or vindictive God. Regardless, I think the key is that we all best find it. And find it quick. Even if it is simply a remedy, its better than nothing. Wow- what a fine film, to still be on my mind.. Brandon- I think you should post that paragraph on the Jefferson Airplane mantra. I’d be interested in reading your take on that.

I think its overtly obvious that one of the Coen’s central themes in much of their work (this film in particular) addresses the nihilistic philosophy that “life is overseen by an absent or a vindictive God”.

However, regarding your opinion that “‘You better find somebody to love’ bears no relation to the God/nihilism question”, I respectfully disagree.

If you accept that ‘finding someone to love’ is, in fact, the Coen’s “antidote” to their seemingly nihilistic God philosophy, then by definition, the two are in fact related, and more so: quite possibly the solution, or answer to this difficult question.

Merriam-Webster’s definition of antidote:
1: a remedy to counteract the effects of poison
2: something that relieves, prevents, or counteracts

Perhaps ‘finding someone to love’ is far more than a band-aid fix. Conceivably, it could actually counteract- possibly even prevent, one’s life from being overseen by an absent or vindictive God.

Regardless, I think the key is that we all best find it. And find it quick. Even if it is simply a remedy, its better than nothing.

Wow- what a fine film, to still be on my mind..

]]> By: Brandon Fibbs http://BrandonFibbs.com/2009/10/08/a-serious-man/comment-page-1/#comment-2034 Brandon Fibbs Wed, 14 Oct 2009 09:14:49 +0000 http://BrandonFibbs.com/?p=1497#comment-2034 I didn’t miss it JT. Even had a paragraph addressing the Jefferson Airplane mantra ready to go but had to cut it for size. Truth is, “You better find somebody to love,” while an accurate reflection of the Coen’s philosophy, bears no relation to the God/nihilism question. It is their antidote to it, their way to survive it, if you will, but it hardly changes the fact that love one another or no, life is overseen by an absent or a vindictive God. I didn’t miss it JT. Even had a paragraph addressing the Jefferson Airplane mantra ready to go but had to cut it for size. Truth is, “You better find somebody to love,” while an accurate reflection of the Coen’s philosophy, bears no relation to the God/nihilism question. It is their antidote to it, their way to survive it, if you will, but it hardly changes the fact that love one another or no, life is overseen by an absent or a vindictive God.

]]> By: Diane Williams http://BrandonFibbs.com/2009/10/08/a-serious-man/comment-page-1/#comment-2029 Diane Williams Tue, 13 Oct 2009 20:52:40 +0000 http://BrandonFibbs.com/?p=1497#comment-2029 This was Murphy's Law on film. Supposedly inspired by the Coen Brothers' father. So which one of them was high during his bar mitzvah? Both? Laugh out loud funny in spots, especially when the neighbor shoots Larry's brother as he sets out for Canada in a canoe (in a dream). Most memorable for me was sitting in the same row as Rahm Emmanuel in the E Street theater in DC. This was Murphy’s Law on film. Supposedly inspired by the Coen Brothers’ father. So which one of them was high during his bar mitzvah? Both? Laugh out loud funny in spots, especially when the neighbor shoots Larry’s brother as he sets out for Canada in a canoe (in a dream). Most memorable for me was sitting in the same row as Rahm Emmanuel in the E Street theater in DC.

]]> By: jT http://BrandonFibbs.com/2009/10/08/a-serious-man/comment-page-1/#comment-2002 jT Sun, 11 Oct 2009 20:22:46 +0000 http://BrandonFibbs.com/?p=1497#comment-2002 Nice work- exceptional commentary on the heavy subject matter and underlying meaning of this film, as well as the Coen's work in general. I think you nailed it right up until the very end where you state: "Once again, the Coens’ nihilism rears its ugly head, though adorned this time with an epistemological crown. If there is a God — vindictive or not — then life is certainly not meaningless, even if it is no less enigmatic and terrifying. For those who would claim that human inconsequentiality cannot question much less fathom the omnipotence of God (as God himself tells Job) and that we should, therefore, simply accept both the bounty and the hardship with equal gratitude, they must have missed the commentary embedded in the final, unfathomable, shocking moments of the film. Because, in the end, who cares? The result is the same. Plead with heaven all you like — no meaningful answer will be forthcoming. And if you do get a response, chances are you won’t like it. So if you’re a Coen and life is almost certainly absurd and very nearly meaningless, you might as well learn to find the comedy in even the most barbaric of situations." Yes, the film could be taken as nihilistic- after all this is the Coen Brothers, but reducing what we as humans, should learn to do under these, quite possibly, meaningless circumstances in which we live, to merely "find the comedy", I would argue overlooks the bigger picture here and reduces this work of art to being more of the same from the Coen Brothers. While many may have missed the "..commentary embedded in the final, unfathomable, shocking moments..", I think you may have missed the impeccably placed, haunting and telling anthem that both opens and closes the film. The overwhelming power and placement of the track is a dead giveaway. In doing so, the Coen's have delivered the answer in lyrical form, far more meaningful and insightful than learning to laugh at our futile existence. The message is clear, clean, and concise; an answer to one of philosophy's most highly debated subjects: "You better find somebody to love". A stroke of genius. "When the truth is found to be lies And all the joy within you dies Don't you want somebody to love Don't you need somebody to love Wouldn't you love somebody to love You better find somebody to love When the garden's flowers, baby, are dead Yes, and your mind, your mind is so full of red Don't you want somebody to love Don't you need somebody to love Wouldn't you love somebody to love You better find somebody to love Your eyes, I say your eyes may look like his Yeah but in your head, baby I'm afraid you don't know where it is Don't you want somebody to love Don't you need somebody to love Wouldn't you love somebody to love You better find somebody to love Tears are running, they're all running down your breast And your friends, baby, they treat you like a guest Don't you want somebody to love Don't you need somebody to love Wouldn't you love somebody to love You better find somebody to love" -Somebody to Love -Jefferson Airplane Nice work- exceptional commentary on the heavy subject matter and underlying meaning of this film, as well as the Coen’s work in general. I think you nailed it right up until the very end where you state:

“Once again, the Coens’ nihilism rears its ugly head, though adorned this time with an epistemological crown. If there is a God — vindictive or not — then life is certainly not meaningless, even if it is no less enigmatic and terrifying. For those who would claim that human inconsequentiality cannot question much less fathom the omnipotence of God (as God himself tells Job) and that we should, therefore, simply accept both the bounty and the hardship with equal gratitude, they must have missed the commentary embedded in the final, unfathomable, shocking moments of the film. Because, in the end, who cares? The result is the same. Plead with heaven all you like — no meaningful answer will be forthcoming. And if you do get a response, chances are you won’t like it. So if you’re a Coen and life is almost certainly absurd and very nearly meaningless, you might as well learn to find the comedy in even the most barbaric of situations.”

Yes, the film could be taken as nihilistic- after all this is the Coen Brothers, but reducing what we as humans, should learn to do under these, quite possibly, meaningless circumstances in which we live, to merely “find the comedy”, I would argue overlooks the bigger picture here and reduces this work of art to being more of the same from the Coen Brothers.

While many may have missed the “..commentary embedded in the final, unfathomable, shocking moments..”, I think you may have missed the impeccably placed, haunting and telling anthem that both opens and closes the film. The overwhelming power and placement of the track is a dead giveaway. In doing so, the Coen’s have delivered the answer in lyrical form, far more meaningful and insightful than learning to laugh at our futile existence. The message is clear, clean, and concise; an answer to one of philosophy’s most highly debated subjects: “You better find somebody to love”.

A stroke of genius.

“When the truth is found to be lies
And all the joy within you dies

Don’t you want somebody to love
Don’t you need somebody to love
Wouldn’t you love somebody to love
You better find somebody to love

When the garden’s flowers, baby, are dead
Yes, and your mind, your mind is so full of red

Don’t you want somebody to love
Don’t you need somebody to love
Wouldn’t you love somebody to love
You better find somebody to love

Your eyes, I say your eyes may look like his
Yeah but in your head, baby
I’m afraid you don’t know where it is

Don’t you want somebody to love
Don’t you need somebody to love
Wouldn’t you love somebody to love
You better find somebody to love

Tears are running, they’re all running down your breast
And your friends, baby, they treat you like a guest

Don’t you want somebody to love
Don’t you need somebody to love
Wouldn’t you love somebody to love
You better find somebody to love”

-Somebody to Love
-Jefferson Airplane

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