Film Review: Inside Llewyn Davis

inside llewyn davis 2I love a good folk song. Be it a quick jam on my ukulele or listening to a soul enchanting tune, it’s always been a passion. I have to admit before Bob Dylan, I was clueless about folk, so to see Inside Llewyn Davis, the Coen Brothers’ story loosely based upon Dave Von Ronk, set in 1960s America was a refreshing change. In the story, Llewyn Davis – a struggling folk singer – grips on to reality in any way possible. That means scrounging off people most of the time.

The film starts like no other. You are not drawn in by words or by people, but by music. The haunting tones of ‘Hang Me, Oh Hang Me’ set the scene beautifully for Llewyn’s gripping and raw performance in the Gaslight Café. Notes were jingling and people were clapping. It was enthralling.

There is something very intense and real about this film. It knows what it is and doesn’t try to be a dressed up poodle. Even though it is set half a century ago, ignoring the décor, when Davis sat down on the sofa, it felt like we were casually having a conversation with him. The film is set out in a series of clips, like a snapshot of his life taken on a brownie camera with the same scene being played over and over again. This plays over the idea that his life is never changing and progressing, since the last scene is the same as the first. That was clever.

Though I can appreciate the clever directing, the film leaves much guessing to the audience about what is really happening, and if I hadn’t read a little before I watched the film, I would have been completely lost at many points! The directing is also more of a TV drama than a film, but that does not make it any less intriguing. We find ourselves constantly changing our minds about Davis’ personality: you can’t help feel sorry for him as his comedy sketch with Ulysees the cat injects some well-needed mild humour. But all the humour appeared to be with the cat. The contrast in scenes throughout the film is very good with music bringing light and shade to Davis’ character whose constant rudeness and selfishness reminds us that he isn’t a good person.

The use of music was great throughout the film. The songs were well-written, sung to perfection, and the use of timeless classics was city screengood to see. There wasn’t the need for constant dialogue which gave the film an unpretentious air about it. Yes, there were some funny, sarcastic moments by Davis, who couldn’t give a rat’s ass about most things, but the interaction between Oscar Isaacs (who plays Davis) and Carey Mulligan just didn’t work. It was like watching an elephant trying to act in swan lake. It was embarrassing. The same could be said for Justin Timberlake, who was there one second and not the next. I couldn’t really see the point of his character.

Verdict: If you like folk music, go and see it. You will not be disappointed. The film is well directed and full of raw emotion, but it lacks some much needed substance which would elevate it to an extraordinary interpretation of 60s folk.

Performances are still on at York Picturehouse where I saw this film. Here’s a link to the website:

http://www.picturehouses.co.uk/cinema/York_Picturehouse/film/Inside_Llewyn_Davis/