UK Release Date: January 24th 2014
A week in the life of a young singer as he navigates the Greenwich Village folk scene of 1961.
Director: Joel Coen, Ethan Coen (True Grit, No Country for Old Men, Miller's Crossing)
Starring: Oscar Isaac, Carey Mulligan, John Goodman, Garrett Hedlund, Justin Timberlake
An oscar for an Oscar, or at least that's what it should have been when it comes to Inside Llewyn Davis. Oscar Isaac does this Coen brothers directed film proud. He enfuses Llewyn Davis with melancholic sympathy. He's a homeless man with tons of ambition to succeed, but all he ends up succeeding in is annoying those around him, especially ex-girlfriend Jean (Mulligan).
Like many of Joel and Ethan's films, the central character is a likeable fuck up. It's all about the lead's ability to relate to the audience. Whether it's knocking up (and cheating on) your ex, or jeering at other musicians, Llewyn Davis is someone who we want to see happy at the end.
*SPOILER ALERT* Unfortunately for us, closure doesn't take place. It stops quite suddenly, with ends very much still lose.
Isaac's charisma keeps us hooked. Some of the cast get the opportunity to showcase their musical talent. A song will crop up every so often, issuing folk songs containing heartfelt emotion. Isaac surprises with his talent and delivers well.
The supporting cast are on par with Isaac. Mulligans Jean is an emotional wreck constantly moaning at Llewyn. Her on-stage and off-stage partner Jim (Justin Timberlake) is enthralling with a ludicrous song he wrote called 'Please Mr. Kennedy'.
A.consistently pleasing character comes from a feline, not a human. Davis is forced to look after a ginger cat after accidentally letting it out of his friends' house. The cat is a representation of himself. If he lets the cat go, he may as well escape the pressures of life itself.
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