To say that Larry Gopnik, the lead character in the new film A Serious Man, is “put upon” is putting it mildly.
The guy, a college professor, has so much weighing on his shoulders that Hercules himself probably couldn’t handle it.
His wife suddenly announces she wants a divorce.
His son, days away from his bar mitzvah, continually complains about the poor TV reception.
One of his neighbors is scary.
Another torments him by sunbathing in the nude.
A student is bribing him for a better grade and threatening to sue him for defamation.
The tenure committee will soon decide on Larry’s professional life.
No rabbi ever seems to have time for him.
His brother … well, you get the idea.
Larry’s got tsuris. Why is all of this happening to him, and why now? Continue reading
Martin's Musings 