INSIDE LLEWYN DAVIS REVIEW

Tonight I was fortunate enough to see an early screening of the Coen Brothers most recent film 'Inside Llewyn Davis'.

'Inside Llewyn Davis' takes us on a journey with a struggling folk singer during the 1960s Greenwich Village folk scene.  Llewyn Davis is played brilliantly by Oscar Isaac and this film really is Llewyn's story.  Llewyn is in literally every scene of the film.  A few supporting characters drop in... Jean (played by Carey Mulligan) a woman who Llewyn has a relationship with, as well as Jim (played by Justin Timberlake) Jean's boyfriend and singing partner.  Other actors pop up as well in small but important and entertaining roles, such as John Goodman as Roland Turner and F. Murray Abraham as Bud Grossman.

Oscar Isaac plays Llewyn masterfully and to be honest, to say he plays this character isn't fair. Oscar Isaac became this character.  He really played the guitar.  He really sang the songs. There was no lip syncing and no sound looping with him.  This was basically LIVE music put on film, which is rare and is even more rare when it is done well in narrative.  Here, it is done masterfully.

The Coen Brothers took us back to the 60s with their beautiful direction and writing.  I sat in a time capsule for two hours and loved every second of it.  This film is so detailed and filled with a palpable atmosphere.  The audience walks in Llewyn's wet shoes when he is on the road.  We smell the smoke of the cigarettes in the cafe where he performs.  All of us feel his pain as well as his passion.

The story of the film seems very simple.  We follow this man, Llewyn, on his travels; but this film is anything but simple.  There are tons of little nods to the real folk scene, hidden plot points and character tropes that we (the audience) find and figure out by the end of the film. This movie has tons of themes -  family, art, passion, love, drive, perseverance, etc.

I tip my cap to Joel and Ethan Coen because they told a beautiful and relevant story in a non-traditional and unconventional way.  The film leaves you wanting more (in a good way) and you think about the film long after you are out of the theater.  It helps to have T-Bone Burnett's beautiful music and Bruno Delbonnel's gorgeous cinematography.  'Inside Llewyn Davis' is the one must see film of 2013 and it should bring home some gold come awards time.

I think the best thing I can say about the film is this: it made me think about my life and it made me want to watch it again, immediately after the screening.  This is the art of The Coen Brothers.  This is why they are so great and so well known and respected in the industry.  I implore anyone and everyone to see 'Inside Llewyn Davis'.

5/5 Stars

- George McCann