ambling, watchable movie

Rating: 5/10 (22 March 2014)

Historically I have enjoyed the Coen Brothers comedies and have been underwhelmed by their dramas. I didn't know which one this was before I watched it, but I'd say it's either a fitfully amusing drama or a dour, not especially funny comedy. Whichever it is, I found it watchable, but not really engrossing.
I didn't hate the character as my girlfriend did (she found him repellent in every way and hated the movie). Sure, Llewyn is aimless and drifting, uncharismatic, a bit of a user, and prone to violent outbursts, but as someone who used to play in folk clubs I had some sympathy for his frustration. And really, most of the characters in the movie aren't likable, so in the film's world he's not really that bad.
This is a musical, as the movie's songs are generally sung all the way through. It's mainly traditional songs sung pretty well, but there's not much excitement to it and the songs often feel long. I also feel that, in order to emphasize the end, they insist on only pretty, serious singing, although there were rawrer singers at that time like Pete Seeger and Rambling Jack Elliot. It felt like the movie wanted to make an untrue point for reasons of its own.
My girlfriend almost decided to give up on this one, stuck with it because John Goodman was interesting in a fairly small part, and then felt it was too late to stop. I never particularly felt like turning it off, but I was never especially engrossed in the story. I wouldn't recommend it.