Folk Music: A True Underdog Story

Rating: 10/10 (2 February 2014)

In true Coen Brothers style, Inside Llewyn Davis is five hundred miles away from their last film, True Grit. Unlike the tense revenge western that True Grit was or the screwball comedy that was Burn After Reading, Inside Llewyn Davis is surprisingly down to earth which is refreshing change of pace as today's film market seems to be filled with over blown Hollywood disasters and it is nice to see directors like the Coen's, Scorsese and Winding Refn that don't feel like they have to cater to the lowest common denominator as Llewyn Davis is one of the most genuine, subdued films of the new century. Despite this, Inside Llewyn Davis keeps the quirky and sharp dialogue you are likely to find in any of the Coen's films is still present and correct.
Oscar Isaac of Drive fame stars as the eponymous Llewyn Davis (it's Welsh), a down on his luck folk singer who is just trying to find fame whilst barely scarping by. Davis, in true Coen fashion is, no loser, no two ways about it and Isaac plays it with convincing subtly. All the other actors are extremely competent as well. Carey Mulligan and Justin Timberlake star as folk duo Jim and Jean and John Goodman in what is possibly his best role yet as Roland Turner a crippled yet articulate jazz musician who Davis hitches a ride with to get to Chicago. Each of the actors play their roles with their own style of performance. Mulligan plays Jean as a bitter, spiteful woman who cares little for anyone apart from herself and her partner Jim. Timberlake however plays Jim as a caring individual who just wants the best for Isaac's Davis. Goodman however completely steals the show in a role in what could easily have been a cameo but the Coen's expertly extended the role in what culminates to be some of the films best scenes.
Inside Llewyn Davis is the Coen's best film since Fargo and much like Fargo; Inside Llewyn Davis combines stunningly distinct characters with a compelling story that is very loosely based on a true story or real people. All this makes Inside Llewyn Davis one of the greatest subdued masterpieces ever made and if you only see one Coen Brother's film in your life, make it this one.