Inside Llewyn Davis (2013) Dir: Joel Coen & Ethan Coen
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People have been telling me to watch this Coen brothers film for years now, but it's only now that I was finally able to acquiesce. I have seen a number of Joel & Ethan Coen's films by now, and I know that, when they get it right, they tend to make something special. Everything I'd heard about this one, to this point, suggested that I was in for something just like that.
What struck me very early on while watching this, was just how un-Coen-like this film was. It really felt so different from the rest of their work. I don't say they to disparage either this or their other films, only to point out something that surprised me. I must say, I really quite enjoyed it - it felt different, at least for them.
Folk music isn't necessarily my kind of music, but it was performed so beautifully by everyone who did so, that I couldn't help but become engrossed in the soft voices and gentle twangs of the guitars. It was so melancholic, yet soothing - it was the perfect sound to go along with the film.
It's definitely one of those slice of life narratives, where there isn't really a story, and there isn't really a beginning or end. It's undeniably a character driven film, in that sense. There's flecks of drama, of comedy, and even a little romance, but at its heart, the film feels most like a tragedy.
I really enjoyed the dialogue in the film, be that the more serious or dramatic scenes, or the sillier, more comedic moments. I must confess, the line; "Where's its scrotum?" had me giggling like a child. It's just one of those films that catches you off-guard with its jokes. They're few and far between, but each of them hit very amusingly.
Oscar Isaac gave what is, as far as I've seen, one of his best performances to-date. It was exemplary in just about every way. His singing was beautiful, his acting - especially the outbursts - were superb, and honestly, his comedic timing, though subtle, was brilliant. This was a complete performance from Isaac.
I feel like Carey Mulligan has never given a bad performance in her life. She's so consistent and talented. Once again she was absolutely sublime in this film. I wish she could've been on-screen more, which, in fairness, is pretty much always how I feel about her acting.
There were several other decent performances by those in the supporting cast, but, in order to keep it brief, I'll just mention a few that stood out more; Justin Timberlake, Ethan Phillips, Adam Driver and John Goodman.
Overall, I found this to be one of those films that, as long as you have the patience for it, you'll absolutely adore. The acting is first rate from just about everybody, and carries what could have been a very dull narrative to something significant. It's a film that can really impact you, if you're in the right place for it.
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