Directors: The Coen Brothers
Starring: Oscar Isaac, Carey Mulligan and Justin Timberlake
‘A Magnificent Masterpiece’
Not many actors in Hollywood have earned the appreciation of Oscar Isaac. Ever since his rise to stardom in the 1990’s, Isaac has become an icon. Whether it’s folk singers, criminal drivers or space scavengers, Isaac has played many strong characters. Arguably, Isaac’s greatest strength as an actor is his strong commitment towards his craft. He’s one of those rare actors that has always poured both his heart and soul into every role. Isaac has rarely been afraid of taking a risk by choosing to portray characters which aren’t often likeable. Through his ability to portray larger than life characters which are compelling, Isaac has created a strong legacy that is lasting. An icon in entertainment, Isaac has always stood out in the industry due to his commitment. He has shined in every movie he has made even if it isn’t supreme in its quality. Throughout his long-lasting career, Isaac has made several unforgettable movies which are definitely without any doubts absolutely worth watching.
I’m a huge fan of Oscar Isaac and adore all the movies he has made in his career. However, “Inside Llewyn Davis” is my favourite. Since its release in 2013, the Coen Brothers’ movie has stood the test of time as a classic. Packed with breathtaking production-design, spellbinding storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the best musical films ever made. At the centre of it all is a phenomenal performance by Oscar Isaac, who portrays a committed folk musician facing a crisis. Ultimately, what makes “Inside Llewyn Davis” a classic is its universal appeal. Unlike most movies about famous musicians, it discusses celebrated themes which everyone will relate to. It delivers a universal message on mental health which would definitely resonate with everyone. A mesmerizing masterpiece on mental health, there are many strong reasons why “Inside Llewyn Davis” is a movie which is worth watching.
Set in 1960’s Greenwich Village, “Inside Llewyn Davis” tells the story of a struggling musician with depression. Oscar Isaac portrays Llewyn Davis, a gifted folk musician with an aptitude for playing melodies. Llewyn Davis has always had a flair for composing melodies that people love to hear. However, Llewyn’s dream of being a famous musician is threatened by his mental condition. Afflicted with severe depression, the musician struggles to cope with the pressures of an industry which causes tension. Facing a dilemma, Davis struggled to take care of jobs, household chores and his powerful passion for performing music. As all the odds are stacked against his favour, Davis begins to wonder if it is possible for him to any longer fulfill dreams of becoming a successful singer. Faced with tension of competition in a town teaming with talented musicians, Davis struggles to achieve recognition. Faced with barriers which prove to be tragic, Davis questions his lifelong passions for music.
The Coen Brothers are fascinated with stories of conflicted musicians. A dazzling directing duo, the brothers have often produced films about troubled musicians. Their previous film “O Brother Where Art Thou?” captured lives of folk musicians on the run from the law. With “Inside Llewyn Davis”, however, the brothers produced their first movie about folk singers during the 1960’s. It was the filmmakers’ first attempt to capture the lives of folk singers in the 1960’s, but they succeeded. Using strong cinematography, the Coen Brothers capture a folk musician embarking upon a journey to find his identity. The Coen Brothers effectively use low-key lighting capturing a lifestyle for a folk musician facing obstacles that are frightening. Visually, the film is a breathtaking feast for the eyes. For instance, low-key lighting enhances the opening scene. During this heartfelt scene, Llewyn is beaten in an alley by a stranger that criticizes his music. One appreciates low-key lighting capturing obstacles that musicians in an olden time period are experiencing. Low-key lighting is a tricky technique to employ in movies. As David Fincher’s “Se7en” claimed, low-key lighting elevates movies about serial killers. Nevertheless, it works tremendously in this movie. Through stunning visuals, the Coen Brothers capture hardships that folk musicians are facing.
Another phenomenal aspect of “Inside Llewyn Davis” which merits recognition is production-design. From a technical perspective, the film is extremely well made. The Coen Brothers use live singing to capture singers that have a love for performing music. For instance, live singing numbers elevate the Please Mr. Kennedy icon scene. During this strong scene, Llewyn Davis performs a song with a group of famous folk musicians. One admires live singing capturing bonds of a pair of music singers. Live singing is a tricky technique to employ in movies. As James Mangold’s “Walk the Line” suggested, live singing elevates classic movies about the lives of famous country singers. Tom Hooper’s “Les Miserables” claimed live singing elevates Broadway musical adaptations. Moreover, the musical score is dazzling. The Coen Brothers use engaging country music to capture mood of the 1960’s music scene. Through engaging production-design, the Coen Brothers capture lives of commemorated musicians that experience devastating decline.
Storytelling is one of the primary reasons why “Inside Llewyn Davis” is a captivating musical movie that’s compelling. The film is beautifully written, and successfully uses symbolism to capture loneliness endured by folk musicians. The Coen Brothers’ screenwriting strength is their abilities to capture tensions experienced by folk musicians using symbolism. One of the ways in which the Coen Brothers express the loneliness of musicians through symbolism. Throughout the film, the cat becomes a bold symbol showcasing Llewyn’s strong emotions of loneliness. For instance, the symbolism of the car elevates the disappearance scene. In this unforgettable scene, Llewyn has a panic attack when his cat suddenly disappears out of thin air causing despair. One admires the strong symbolism of the cat capturing tense hardships country musicians are experiencing. Symbolism is a tricky technique to use in films. As Damien Chazelle’s “La La Land” claimed, symbolism elevates renowned musicals about L.A. Nevertheless, it works extremely well in this movie. Through a spectacular screenplay, the Coen Brothers captures commemorated folk musicians that experience a painful price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Oscar Isaac delivers one of his finest career performances as Llewyn Davis. Isaac gained appreciation for playing scientists designing A.I. With “Inside Llewyn Davis”, however, the actor took on his most emotional role. It isn’t easy to portray a folk musician which seeks success in the 1960’s, but Isaac succeeded tremendously. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, charming and emotional in his most memorable role. Isaac has spent most of his career playing serious characters in dramas. With “Inside Llewyn Davis”, the actor took a huge step out of his comfort zone playing a folk musician. It’s a larger than life tile that gave the actor the chances to showcase flair for singing that he had never shown in his career before. With mesmerizing expressions, he captures the angst, desperation and trauma of an iconic folk musician. It’s a phenomenal performance from one of the most talented actors working today.
While the movie is mainly a stunning showcase for Oscar Isaac, the supporting cast is also amazing and worthy of appreciation. Carey Mulligan is magnificent, bringing humanity to Llewyn’s former girlfriend that holds grudges against him for causing her to face pregnancy. Justin Timberlake is terrific, capturing feelings of heartache faced by a commemorated musician seeking to catch a break. Finally, John Goodman merits appreciation. As a commemorated music producer, he brings hilarious comical relief towards the movie.
Finally, “Inside Llewyn Davis” would earn the appreciation of everyone for capturing lives of musicians with pride. Unlike most films about folk musicians, it discusses universal themes everyone would relate to. The movie discusses strong themes including anxiety, depression and career which would definitely resonate with everyone. It delivers a strong message about the importance of finding one’s identity which would resonate with everyone. Viewers don’t need to be longtime fans of folk music to enjoy it. Therefore, “Inside Llewyn Davis” is one of those rare commemorated movies about folk music which everyone would definitely adore.
Fans of Oscar Isaac will definitely appreciate “Inside Llewyn Davis” and so will audiences seeking exhilarating entertainment. A strong musical masterpiece, it celebrates an actor that has built a legacy which is iconic.
A captivating portrait of challenging obstacles that folk musicians suffering from mental health issues in 1960’s Greenwich Village were facing, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actor that has built a lasting legacy earning a huge fan following for his abilities to portray larger-than-life characters with strong personalities which are compelling in unforgettable movies which are definitely without a doubt worth celebrating.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 