A Serious Man is a 2009 (2009 in film) black comedy film written, produced, and directed by Joel and Ethan Coen (Coen brothers). The film stars Michael Stuhlbarg, Sari Lennick, Fred Melamed, Richard Kind and Amy Landecker and tells the story of an ordinary man who is trying to find balance and understanding in the world, loosely based on the story of Job (Job (Bible)). The film has attracted a highly positive critical response, including a Golden Globe nomination for Stuhlbarg, a place on both the American Film Institutes and National Board of Review (National Board of Review of Motion Pictures)s Top 10 Film Lists of 2009, and a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Picture.