Tell Me Who You Love

Rating: 4/10 (22 February 2014)

Well, actually no-one in this film. I loved the music though and was the last to leave the cinema - so mesmerised was I. The music took me to a tranquil place in my soul - a place I hadn't visited for ages. It gripped me and I felt so peaceful. But the story? Lame. The characters? Ugly and dull. Totally charmless. I am sure everyone wore beige. I know the Coen Brothers do weird, are weird, that is the hallmark of their films but the protagonist has little appeal unless he's singing. He is either a depressive (please get some help) or was born without a personality (so sorry). Either way, should such a charmless character appear in every scene? In similar fashion to the overrated quietly but definitely depressing and thanks-for-edging-me-ever-nearer-towards-killing-myself-Nebraska, this film is emotionally flat - the opposite of exciting (or as exciting as a hen farting).
Unlike the Nebraska protagonist, Llewyn hasn't lost his mind, he has one, I just wasn't emotionally invested in it. He is another loser, and with a personality like his, he will carry on losing. Like his guitar he takes it wherever he goes so no surprise as he courts rejection for the duration. So, as I was saying, everyone's ugly, wears beige or black, the moggy who is orange lends a splash of colour to this otherwise monochrome film. If you go to the cinema, like me, for escapism, this film won't cut it for you. I don't think Llewyn smiles once. Not even ironically or from spite. No smiles here. I don't think anyone actually laughs or smiles in the whole film and that makes for a very dull film in my book. The whole experience was a curious one though (typical Coen Bros), I was bored and depressed for the most part but the music floored me with its beauty. If you're all grown up and miss your dope smoking days, you will be quietly reminded of that mellow high as the music in this film will stir that feeling in your soul but an emotionally moving film this is not.