Inside Llewyn Davis is another sad film from the dark minds of Joel and Ethan Coen (Fargo, A Serious Man, The Big Lebowski). The story centers around that friend we all know... the one that crashes on couches, lives for his music, and looks down on everyone else because they have a job, family, and their own house. Llewyn Davis, played by Oscar Isaac (Robin Hood, Drive), starts off the story being thrown out of a bar, beat up, and waking up in someones spare bedroom. This really is the entire story. Missing the dark wit and humor of the Coen's other films, this is a depressing story of failure and disappointment with no redemption in the end. Seriously. Without spoiling the film, let me just say that the ending was poorly executed and left me confused (Me, confused. A Coen Brothers fan) and trying to figure out exactly the point and purpose. Now, I certainly don't expect The Dude to be in every film they write, and I certainly don't expect all their films to be a comedy, but I found the clever lines missing irony, and wishing for a witty Minnesotan accent in a police uniform.
The film also starred Carrie Mulligan (An Education, The Great Gatsby), Justin Timberlake (The Social Network, his sexy voice), and of course, John Goodman (Roseanne, The Big Lebowski). Mulligan was wonderful, as always, in a completely different role than in which we usually see her. Her character is crass, angry, and dark. Coming out of a role like Gatsby, she transitioned well. Of course, its hard to believe our sweetheart could hate someone they way she hates Davis. Timberlake was the actor that I really questioned. Yes, he had a singing role (none of the other actors are professional singers), but he was barely in the movie, and his character's depth was only as deep as his screen time. While I have enjoyed him in other movies, he just didn't seem to fit in this dark 60's era of folk music. Goodman was the most comedic character in the film, by sheer fact that he was also the most ridiculous. He slept through most the movie, and was a bludgeoning old man for the rest. Oddly enough, his character put some life into the mostly dead film. Good call, Joel and Ethan.
As a good friend recently remarked, "The Great Lebowski is [The Coen Brothers] definitive comedy, No Country For Old Men their definitive drama. All else are just greatest hits."
I wouldn't count on Inside Llewyn Davis to be added to that list, though.
As a good friend recently remarked, "The Great Lebowski is [The Coen Brothers] definitive comedy, No Country For Old Men their definitive drama. All else are just greatest hits."
I wouldn't count on Inside Llewyn Davis to be added to that list, though.