The Sad Reality of Show Business

Rating: 10/10 (10 January 2014)

Wow. Honestly, I'm still touched by this pure work of cinema. It's quite a pessimistic and depressing- albeit very honest- depiction of the lives led by the people who aspire to be something greater than an average employee for a corporation. In this case, we have an impeccably talented folk musician named Llewyn Davis (played by Oscar Isaac) who's not exactly in the best of circumstances, considering his impoverished state and exhausted soul. Folk music has never been an overly popular genre, and his struggles prove the unfairness within dreamers' lives. Right from the get-go, we understand that Davis has been doing this for a while now. Unfortunately, he's not making a living off of participating in that which he absolutely loves and is spending every night at another friend's or relative's residence. His willingness to endure the hardships that plague his unlucky life (rather than fall back on something that's more financially sound) is undoubtedly appreciable.
The sad truth certainly should touch anyone who's looking to involve themselves in the entertainment industry, specifically, for quality (as can be seen here) is oftentimes disregarded as the majority of the public are drawn to simpler and more crowd-pleasing material. For instance, as I observed my surroundings in the theater room, I realized that not many people sat in the audience. That right there, folks, is the sad reality of the entertainment business, proving the lack of recognition of sheer quality in general as we're frequently distracted by the more extravagant productions that lead you from one intense situation to another. As I was originally stating, the pop and hip-hop music reign supreme while the intelligence found in tamer and more lyrics-based tunes is inequitably overshadowed. And rather than eventually permeate this clever picture with heartwarming events and Hollywood-izing the ending, the Coen Brothers remain ruthless in their brutally honest and genuine portrayal of a struggling individual who I largely sympathized with.
Davis's road ahead and behind is wretched, and you're forced to see him run into an adverse incident after another as if someone completely cursed him once in some unimaginable way. His behavior initially might bother some viewers, but as you witness the cruel and unforgiving individuals around him and the harsh environment- I, at least, definitely understood his persistently hostile attitude and mindset. He's not the "asskisser" who finds success in the industry by forming connections here and there and sleeping around elsewhere; he limply carries along with his integrity and dignity in tact. The filmmakers wisely never compromise in order to implement some superficial element to his character so as to present a more likable side.
Anyways, being that this is primarily a character-driven narrative, Oscar Isaac's performance is surely crucial to how the final product turns out. Fortunately, he's unquestionably phenomenal- I've got to love and appreciate the subtle performances as opposed to the showy and "Oscar-baity" paths that lots of actors seem to take in these kinds of films. No, Isaac is so capable in his role that you can't help but admire this miserable character as he proceeds along on his inauspicious journey. I found everything from his low-key mannerisms to the overall hesitant and reserved personality (especially when in the company of loud-mouthed or more enthusiastic people) incredible and utterly convincing.
Of course, I have to vastly rave about the film's amazingly beautiful and unique cinematography. To me, it seemed pastel-like, for lack of a better term, in a sense and borrowed a grayish, or predominately colorless, visual style. Throughout its duration, we're introduced to particularly darkened rooms, pervaded by rising smoke and an attentive crowd in a respectfully silent atmosphere- occasionally, we sight the light illuminating one side of the room while the other side remains desolate and gloomy. In essence, the Coen Brothers always know how to showcase the most stunning of camera-work, and speaking of traditional Coen Bros. strengths, the writing also keeps us highly invested throughout the numerous enthralling encounters and dispiriting conversations Davis runs into on his mentally gruesome adventure.
All in all, Inside Llewyn Davis is, without a doubt, one of my favorite films of 2013 (it expanded nationwide in early 2014, which is why I'm writing the review this late). Notice how I haven't even covered any weaknesses of the film. Guess why? Because there are none, and usually, Hollywood pictures disappoint me with their endings in that unnaturally happy or unnecessary fashion. Like I said, this film, however, refrains from sacrificing its artistic integrity as the melancholy tone never subsides. If you love the art of cinema and treasure the passionate filmmakers that still allow for clever projects like this to be made, go see Inside Llewyn Davis!