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INSIDE LLEWYN DAVIS

For its entirety I felt like an outsider watching “Inside Llewyn Davis”; while my friend kevelled, rhapsodized, sang with the actors from commencement to conclusion.  What was I missing?

The versatile Coen brothers paint a realistic portrait of the “folk”  music genre, popular in the early sixties; Greenwich Village: grimy, seedy, smoke-filled bars; struggling, starving and in “Llewyn’s” scenario homeless, musicians. Oscar Isaac gives a melodically magnificent performance as the rootless, destitute, monumentally irresponsible singer/writer whose career has tanked and options are nonexistent.

Carey Mulligan, Justin Timberlake and John Goodman give solid, relevant characterizations, of individuals trapped in cages of their own creation; choices that have led to, sad, paltry lives; “Jim” (Timberlake)  clueless of his wife “Jean’s” (Mulligan) indiscretions, exhibits a sliver of contentment, a modicum of happiness.

“Ulysses” a furry feline steals his/her every scene; a hilarious stroke of inventiveness; levity, momentarily alleviating the gloomy, doomed, “Murphy’s Law” journey of Llewyn.

As the film plods forward, and Llewyn exponentially resembles biblical Job; ennui reigns as the fate of our troubled songster dims; ignited briefly when he sings “Hang  Me, Oh Hang Me”; metaphorically recognizing, that his era is sinking into an anachronistic void, his successful vision, kidnapped; his dreams cauterized; missing nothing, we empathize with Llewyn’s gravitas, but see sufficiently from the outside; shunning from venturing any further into the abyss.

THREE & 1/2 STARS!!!

For Now………Peneflix

Review Overview

Rating

User Rating: 4 ( 1 votes)

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10 comments

  1. Hi Penelope,

    Not sure that this movie deserves 31/2 stars. Plodded along and you are right, never could get fully involved with any of the characters. I really loved folk music from that time period but didn’t remember it being that “seedy” Will keep my illusions!

    Holly

    • ACTUALLY AGREE WITH YOU; I WAS BORED AND THOUGHT MAYBE IT WAS BECAUSE THIS WAS NOT MY “SCENE”; BUT OSCAR ISAAC WAS STUPENDOUS IN SINGING AND CAPTURING THE ANGST OF A DYING ERA! ALWAYS ENJOY YOUR INSIGHTS!
      HAPPY NEW YEAR! P.

  2. Loved this movie………may be my 2nd favorite of the year, top of my list “Nebraska”. Thought they were very similar! Did not think you noticed my singing , thought I was just “mouthing” the words!!!

    • I NOTICE EVERYTHING! WONDERING WHAT I WAS MISSING???????? P>

      • ONLY MEMORIES OF the Village in the sixties! All those sensitive folk singers in clubs, Washington Sg. and 8th st. ……..Lenny Bruce……the Factory! Also, I told you about Joan Baez on Oak St. beach.
        The good, the bad and sometimes the ugly…….however, quite a learning experience!!

        • Iconic memories! You must have been quite a “babe” and “Dancing Queen”! Those were the days,my friend!
          Thanks for sharing. P.

  3. My previous email does not appear. I don’t know why. I loved this movie. The cinematography,music, acting were amazing. I was totally involved. My husband loved it as well. Beautiful story of failure.

  4. The cats and John Goodman(with the Captain Kangaroo bangs)saved it. I am a big fan of the Brothers Coen, but I couldn’t believe the (mis)use of the dream. Folk songs are usually about life gone wrong, but there must have been a better way to tell this story. I remember that scene…fondly, but one I wouldn’t want to relive.

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