A Serious Man evaluation action

Clive's Father: Culture clash. Culture clash.

Larry Gopnik: With all respect, Mr. Park, I don't think it's that.

Clive's Father: Yes.

Larry Gopnik: No. It would be a culture clash if it were the custom in your land to bribe people for grades.

Clive's Father: Yes.

Larry Gopnik: So... you're saying it is the custom?

Clive's Father: No, this is a defamation. Grounds for lawsuit.

Larry Gopnik: Let me get this straight: you're threatening to sue me for defaming your son?

Clive's Father: Yes.

Larry Gopnik: But it would...

Mr. Brandt: Is this man bothering you?

Larry Gopnik: Is he bothering me? No. I, uh...

[Larry stares awkwardly at Brandt until he leaves]

Larry Gopnik: See... if it were defamation there would have to be someone I was defaming him to, or I... all right, I... let's keep it simple. I could pretend the money never appeared. That's not defaming anyone.

Clive's Father: Yes. And a passing grade.

Larry Gopnik: Passing grade.

Clive's Father: Yes.

Larry Gopnik: Or... you'll sue me.

Clive's Father: For taking money.

Larry Gopnik: So he *did* leave the money.

Clive's Father: This is defamation!

Larry Gopnik: It doesn't make sense. Either he left the money or he didn't.

Clive's Father: Please. Accept the mystery.

Larry Gopnik: You can't have it both ways!

Clive's Father: Why not?

Rabbi Scott: No, of course not. I am the junior rabbi. And it's true, the point-of-view of somebody who's older and perhaps had similar problems might be more valid. And you should see the senior rabbi as well, by all means. Or even Minda if you can get in, he's quite busy. But maybe - can I share something with you? Because I too have had the feeling of losing track of Hashem, which is the problem here. I too have forgotten how to see Him in the world. And when that happens you think, well, if I can't see Him, He isn't there any more, He's gone. But that's not the case. You just need to remember how to see Him. Am I right?

[He rises and goes to the window]

Rabbi Scott: I mean, the parking lot here. Not much to see. It is a different angle on the same parking lot we saw from the Hebrew school window. But if you imagine yourself a visitor, somebody who isn't familiar with these... autos and such... somebody still with a capacity for wonder... Someone with a fresh... perspective. That's what it is, Larry.

Larry Gopnik: Um...

Rabbi Scott: Because with the right perspective you can see Hashem, you know, reaching into the world. He is in the world, not just in shul. It sounds to me like you're looking at the world, looking at your wife, through tired eyes. It sounds like she's become a sort of... thing... a problem... a thing...

Larry Gopnik: Well, she's, she's seeing Sy Ableman.

Rabbi Scott: Oh.

Larry Gopnik: She's, they're planning, that's why they want the Gett.

Rabbi Scott: Oh. I'm sorry.

Larry Gopnik: It was his idea.

Rabbi Scott: Well, they do need a Gett to remarry in the faith. But this is life. For you too. You can't cut yourself off from the mystical or you'll be-you'll remain-completely lost. You have to see these things as expressions of God's will. You don't have to like it, of course.

Larry Gopnik: The boss isn't always right, but he's always the boss.

Rabbi Scott: Ha-ha-ha! That's right, things aren't so bad. Look at the parking lot, Larry.

[Rabbi Scott gazes out, marveling]

Rabbi Scott: Just look at that parking lot.