Movie Mania: ADAM and A SERIOUS MAN

This week’s movie mania is pretty short since I only got around to watching a couple of movies, but hopefully I will get so see a few more for next week. Until then here are the two movies that make up this week’s movie mania, Adam and A Serious Man.

Adam (2009) – I loved, loved this movie. I had been meaning to see it for a long time and finally got around to it. Adam is not only a sweet story, it has amazing acting from Hugh Dancy, whom you will fall in love with. He is truly a character actor. As for Rose Byrne, she holds her own against him and I continue to be a fan of hers. I really recommend you check it out.
Synopsis: When beautiful teacher Beth (Rose Byrne) moves into a nearby apartment, strangely awkward Adam (Hugh Dancy), who suffers from Asperger’s syndrome, breaks through his limited social abilities and flirts with the young woman in this moving romance. Beth responds to Adam’s unusual courtship, and as they overcome the obstacles to intimacy, they learn how to face life’s other challenges. Max Mayer directs, while Peter Gallagher and Amy Irving co-star.

A Serious Man (2009) – Even though this was one of the nominated movies this year for the Academy Awards, I never got around to watching it until now. I thought it was ok. There were some pretty funny moments, but overall this is just not usually my type of film. However, it did have some great performances and I do think that it will appeal to some people. So if you’re a fan of the Coen brothers, definitely check it out.
Synopsis: Larry Gopnik (Golden Globe nominee Michael Stuhlbarg) has hit a “rough patch,” according to a colleague, and it would seem so: people are dropping dead all around him, his wife (Sari Lennick) wants a “get” and his whining kids (Aaron Wolff and Jessica McManus) only add to the heavy load. Larry is just looking for some help. Can a few rabbis guide him to life’s answers? Richard Kind co-stars in Joel Coen and Ethan Coen’s 1960s-set, dark Jewish-culture send-up.