Life isn't fair

Rating: 8/10 (9 January 2014)

OK, I fell sleep before the opening number (a slow folk song) had finished. But I jolted fully awake when this terrific rendition of "500 Miles" was being sung. I realized that I was watching a special film, and now I'm sorry I missed the first 15 minutes and Isaac's initial performance.
Oscar Isaac is really terrific in this film. They found an actor who is an excellent folk singer. It's not just that he sings the songs himself, great songs, but it's also his portrayal of the character. I found him and his character engaging. Sure, bad things happen to Llewyn and the people around him, and he alienates people wherever he goes because he's an as$hole at times. But still I was really on his side despite all this. I wanted him to succeed, for others to see what I saw in him, to see how talented he is.
This movie reminded me strongly of how much I used to enjoy folk music when I was younger.
The rest of the movie was also interesting, everything from its portrayal of American life in the early 1960s to the parade of strange but believable characters that cross Llewyn's path, and especially their dialogue. This intelligent movie has a few profound things to say about "making it" and fate. It's a good movie for those who believe deep down that life is not fair.
There were a number of amazing scenes in the movie, eg the Kennedy song, the injured cat, the Grossman audition, and so on. I suppose this is attributable to incredibly good writing. I've enjoyed all of the Coen brothers' movies, and this is no exception. I need to research why I enjoy their films so much. Very American, but not Hollywood movies.
I think the movie is worth about 8.5 and possibly higher, but I'm rounding it down for now because I was uncomfortable with the sudden ending, and I can't say that this movie actually moved me. For me, this movie tickled my intellect more than my heart. I want to see it twice (even though I seldom do that), and perhaps I'll raise the score then.