Inside Llewyn Davis

Rating: 10/10 (14 February 2014)

Leave it to the Coen brothers to give us one of the most original and unique films of last year. They have been doing this most of their career from Blood Simple, up to and including, Inside Llewyn Davis, with very few missteps along the way. This is a later film I saw of 2013, but as of now I would have to say that it is my personal favourite film of last year. Why? Well, I will do my best to explain that in the following few sentences. First off, I like the character Llewyn Davis a lot. That isn't to say that he was a great, or inspirational character, or anything like that. In fact the character himself is a pompous and full of himself person with not that much going for him and his over indulgence and pride and arrogance are the downfall of him. He is not all that likable a character, but that is what I liked so much about him. He is our antihero for this film and his personality and the many assorted predicaments that he gets himself into, during the course of this film are so intriguing and fascinating that this is one film that grabbed me from it's opening shot to it's closing one. I laughed with and at Llewyn, sometimes felt a little pity for him, but mostly just really enjoyed watching him as he tries to make a name for himself in the music industry and sort out the various annoying problems that go on in his life, some of which, as I mentioned, he causes himself because of his attitude and his big mouth. Fans of other Coen brothers films know that they like their music and really good cinematography and this film is not failing in that regard either. A lot of the film's original folk music (actually performed by actor, Oscar Isaac, and cast) is very good and really suits the setting of the early 1960's Greenwich Village folk scene. I still can't quite contemplate how "Please Mr. Kennedy" did not end up getting a Best Original Song nomination at the Academy Awards. The cinematography (which it is nominated for) is superb. The film takes place during a long and dreary winter and the cinematography gives the film a bleak, cold and very depressing look which really enhances the mood and tone that the film is going for. It was achieved successfully. The acting was also fantastic from Oscar Isaac, playing Llewyn Davis, to the various supporting characters that he meets during his travels as well. As, I mentioned earlier, Isaac performed the songs written for him and he gets so into character playing this unlikable and self indulgent character, but also lets us laugh and occasionally have pity for him as well. It is a brilliant performance that should have been nominated a lot more than it has been. All the supporting characters and actors are great as well and the thing about these supporting characters is that each and every one of them is just as interesting as it's main character, so watching them is an absolute joy as well. The Coens always do their own screenplays and they have a certain style that has become familiar to fans of their work and this film brilliantly shows their madness and creativity. The character development runs deep and the film is so entertaining and often gives us a lot to laugh at as well. It is also fantastically different and offbeat and really unlike any other recent film in memory, which I give them a lot of credit for. They know how to set certain scenes, build up characters and surprise and shock us out of nowhere with things we just did not see coming. The film is about music and the folk scene of the early 1960's, so fans of music, or people who lived through that time should easily enjoy and find a lot to identify with in this film. For someone like myself and many others who were not around at that time, there is still so much to love here and the story is one that can appeal to any and every generation of film fans who appreciate unique and great works of art which we have on display here. This film is a great work of art from the talent and skills behind and in front of the camera. This is a film that entertained and grabbed me from when it started to when it ended and made me laugh and just made me appreciate the brilliance that is the Coen brothers for another great film in their already impressive lineup. Inside Llewyn Davis, is my favourite film from 2013 so far and if you are in the mood for something different, original and artsy, then it may be one of your faves too.