Inside Llewyn Davis

If this film hadn’t been made by the ludicrously gifted Coen brothers, it would arguably be a contender for the ‘Best Picture’ Oscar instead of criminally not even being nominated. Very loosely based on the life of folk singer Dave Van Ronk, Inside Llewyn Davis is less about the story of a struggling musician in the early ’60s and more a poetic rumination on the music and the era. All of the music was recorded live (except for one track), and Oscar Isaac is both a great actor and singer, superbly capturing the sadness of Davis’ stubborn idealism.

The Coens never make things too easy for the audience, and some might struggle to sympathise with such a rude person who never really shows any of the artistic mettle that could perhaps justify such solipsism. The film is so beautifully directed and features such moving musical performances however that it can be enjoyed on many levels: as a funny tale with great Coen characters, as a high-quality cinematic music video or simply as an elegant, bewitching movie from master storytellers.

Duke’s At Komedia, 24 January 2014

Rating: