Well done acting all around. The center of attention is Michael Stuhlbarg as an ill-fate attracting physics professor. Michael has a solid performance, which is no small feat considering the macrabe situations he needs to hold a straight face during. My pick for the movie is Fred Melamed as Sy Abelman — who has to be one of the most annoying characters I have ever seen. Appearances from Richard Kind (uncle Arthur) and Adam Arkin (the lawyer) were classic.

Accurate or not, the Coen’s pull off a funny characterizations of Jewish urban life in the 60’s. The 60’s recreation was great to see – not many details were overlooked.. Starting the movie with a made-up Yiddish folk-tale sets a tone that has you searching for a meaning — which in a way was there, but in another way seemed disjoint. In the end, the movie leaves its mark as another in a trail of uniquely well done Coen movies.