Inside Llewyn Davis
I went to a movie theater with Loris for the first time ever. (Is that even true? Haha. I could have sworn we’ve been to the Titania before, but for what movie?) The Passage Kino’s main theater is pleasantly scrumptious and very, very comfortable, but it was also filled with people. So many hipster Berliners trying to see the new Coen, tsk tsk tsk. Loris also says that he doesn’t really have much to say about the film. Well, I guess I don’t have that problem. However, I have put off writing about the film because I am panicked by the knowledge that Loris, this person who writes in a beautiful manner almost effortlessly, will read this posting. Certainly I know of the possibility that he may any of the other posts, but when I know it it’s just so much more daunting. Alright, enough lamenting.
The most memorable element of the film is probably its music. I have to put a disclaimer here. I think I love folk as a genre. In fact, I love love love Beirut not only because Beirut is brilliant but simply because of the folksiness of most of their songs. “Inside Llewyn Davis” essentially starts off with the performance of one song (which is picked up by the end). Maybe it’s the way the song is presented but it’s probably actually; I got a shiver down my spine when I heard it and it gave me the strong feeling that the film would be good.
Nevertheless, I don’t actually listen to it much anymore. Beirut is also nothing like Dave van Ronk’s music because the latter is basically just a voice and a guitar whereas Beirut loves his crazy instruments and the songs sound very produced. Even so, they both produce this physically tangible twist in my chest, it can be that heart-wrenching. (“A Sunday Smile”, “Scenic World”, “The Rip Tide”, “A Candle’s Fire”!) So why do I not listen to it? Well, obviously because I am not particularly interested in heartbreak in everyday life, in which k-pop essentially caters to every of my secular needs – ballads for relaxation, strong electronic beats to keep myself awake for work and sultry songs as porn replacement. But then again, there are days of reflection, where I give myself away to the luxury of experiencing that heartbreak that makes life worth living, and that happens while I watch a movie like “Inside Llewyn Davis”.
The Coens are probably greater than anyone else at making films about life. Amongst all these films, I think that Llewyn Davis is, by far, the most sympathetic character the Coens have ever created, and that is amazing because they created Barton Fink, the Raising Arizona couple and the infamous Dude. His deadpan view on the world, his soft loserdom and the knowledge that he makes absolutely great music is an irresistible combination which absolutely deserves all the critical accolade. Hollywood loves its lovable losers and Llewyn Davis is the most lovable of them all with his unkept locks and puppy eyes.
Almost every promotional picture for the film I see features a scene from the first 10-20 minutes of the movie in which the cat shows up. To be honest, I was drawn to the film originally because of the cat, and it did not disappoint. It’s awesome! The cat does a lot of cat-like things which reinforces the film’s plotless characteric as a slice of life film. Nothing really happens, and nothing happens to the cat either. It is in these snippets of life where nothing really changes that I love so much, and the Coens have mastered the art of making it interesting and meaningful instead of bland and vapid. There is the humor in all those little scenes, especially those involving Mr. Timberlake; there is the interaction with many different characters including the characteristic angry ex-girlfriend but also the benevolent professor or Goodman’s dude in the car we love to hate or the aforementioned cat; and finally, there is the way scenes recall what happened before like the way the beginning and the end tie in or the mention of Jim’s song which was going to generate lots of royalty. Like I said, I find the Coens brilliant.
The movie theater had small promotional posters for the film for grabs. I liked the movie so much that it’s now hanging most prominently in my room. Loris says that he needs time to think about the movie and I feel that it is true because no words can describe the melancholy that the film arose in me.
Bullet points:
- How hot is Oscar Isaac? I want to pretend that I named my son after him, but sadly that is not believable. Considering how different he looks from Llewyn Davis in most photos, I suspect that he is a great actor who pulled off this role brilliantly.
- Thinking about it, this is the first time I am seeing Carey Mulligan with dark hair as I never saw “An Education”. It really makes her look different – somewhat cold and bitter due to her pale skin tone. But perhaps this is just the role and very much on purpose?
- Jean’s kid is probably Pappi’s lol. (And yes of course it’s implied that she slept with him to get Llewyn’s gig but who said she only did that once?)