This latest Cohen brothers movie leans more towards their black comedy sensitivities than crime. In fact, this story is so bleak that it’s hard to watch at times. I can definitely see the comedy in this bleakness, but it’s not laugh-out-loud funny, it’s more of an ironic comedy.
Basically everything that can go wrong with poor Larry, does go wrong. His family (wife and 2 kids, his brother), his job, his health etc… Everything is going down for him.
While there’s black comedy to be had from Larry’s misfortunes, we are also presented with plenty of deeper themes, like religion, mortality, family. I liked the story the second rabbi tells him. It’s a weird story that seems to have a point, but it doesn’t have an ending and not even the rabbi has any idea what it means. I feel that’s valid for this movie as well, sometimes things just happen and we don’t know the reason. Sometimes there are no answers.
The ending of the movie definitely reflects that. There is no real ending or a final scene that gives a meaning to this story. It just ends. That will probably upset some people that were looking for more. But there is enough in this story to let us reflect about it, without trying to explain everything.
I must admit I wasn’t completely into this story. I appreciated some of the scenes and the subtlety, but in the end I tend more towards the “what was it about?” camp. I think it’s worth watching, but it’s not a favorite of mine.
Rating: 3 Stars