Review of Inside Llewyn Davis (2013) by Martin P — 02 Mar 2014

A soulful and beautifully constructed portrait of a man and his music.

Great film, the Coen brothers are back on track. Harks back to The Serious Man for those who have been following their entire rather than just their commercial career. I know nothing about the folk music scene in early 1960s New York, yet I found this film engaging, funny, thought-provoking, and moving. The best parts of the film are not the Manhattan scenes, but the drive Llewyn takes to and from Chicago. Snubbed for the Oscars which is a huge pity. Not one to see when you're on a downer as little redeeming subject matter here in what is effectively a study of depression, melancholia and mildly dysfunctional relationships, i.e. Real Life. Highly recommended.