Thursday, December 19, 2013

Inside Llewyn Davis Review - 3 Stars

Written and directed by the Coen Brothers, “Inside Llewyn Davis” opens with high expectations considering the Coens brought us “Fargo” ‘Raising Arizona” “Barton Fink” and so many unusual movies.  Oscar Isaac plays a 1960’s folk singer who can’t quite break through to the big time.  We know that the folk music era will soon come to an end, but he doesn’t quite get that yet.  Carey Mulligan plays a friend with benefits who turns up pregnant.  Justin Timberlake appears almost unrecognizable as Carey’s husband and Issac’s fellow musician.  The movie follows the character through an especially bad week of lost gigs, found gigs, an ill-advised trip to Chicago and a brutal assessment from an agent.  As things turn sour, the lead character turns more sour until sometimes I found it hard to pull for something good to happen to him.   The Coens give “Inside Llewyn Davis” their usual style with enough quirkiness to satisfy fans, particularly during a mid movie interlude with John Goodman as a sort of Greek Chorus.  Does it deliver what it promises?  Coen Brothers quirky comment on the days before Bob Dylan changed music.  Is it entertaining?  At times, although they don’t give you much hope.  Is it worth the price of admission?  Unusual movie for fans of the always interesting Coen Brothers.