There's a certain expectation one has when viewing a Coen Brothers film. One, it's going to be very unconventional. It will follow no Hollywood structure in the slightest. Two, it will be stranger than most films average movie goers are used to seeing. And three, it's going to be a great movie. There are only a handful of writer/directors active in the industry right now that we can put our faith in that their films will be great no matter what and the Coens are among that list. They haven't really made a bad film yet. They've made less-great films, even one mediocre film, but a bad film... no. Hasn't happened, and at this point, I see no way that it will happen. Their newest feat Inside Llewyn Davis follows suit to their not-following-suitness of their lengthy careers. It's a darkly funny, meditative, musically brilliant, highly enjoyable film.
One thing I've gotten a little tired of as of late as far as the Coens are concerned are the character studies without any sort of character change or life altering. I understand that there is a certain realism to that where you understand that some people never change and sometimes bad things happen to good people and life goes on and whatnot. But, they've employed this tactic to their last few films: No Country For Old Men, A Serious Man, True Grit, and now this one. And it's only the Coens who can have such a melancholy outlook on life and film that can get away with it and it still referred to as brilliance. Because it is. The title character Llewyn Davis, a struggling folk singer, is a dick. He got a small taste of fame, a record, and a shot at the big time with his partner "back in the day". But, since his partner jumped of the George Washington bridge, he's constantly wandering New York looking for that one shot of fame once more. Doing this he crashes on couches, he borrows money, he ostracizes nearly everyone he knows, and it's all for one outcome-- that his life will always be this way. It's a downer thought that maybe sometimes life is just going to take it out on you no matter how hard you try.
To make matters even more complicated, Llewyn has found out that Jean, a former lover of his, who is now presently one of his least favorite fans, is pregnant and needs money for her abortion. Llewyn, of course, has none. He decides to take one last shot at a gig by traveling to Chicago to audition for a large venue. He travels with an ex jazz musician and curmudgeon played by John Goodman (who is fantastic in every single Coen brother film). Llewyn is given a glimpse into his future if he continues on the path that he's on, and it's not a pretty one. Yet, all of these situations that arise, all of the obstacles that come into play in Llewyn's life... they seem to have no affect on him other than beat him down further. He doesn't stop to contemplate his life or how he treats those around him or what he needs to do in order to bring balance to the force. He's going to continue to be a dick and hope for the best possible outcome.
What the Coens do that no other director would have the ability to do is make Llewyn a likable guy. With the way they defy convention in their writing and directing, we watch Llewyn treat others badly, but when it's reciprocated upon him, we feel bad for the guy. We want him to succeed. Why? Who the hell knows. It's because the Coen Brothers decided that's the way we would feel. "Newcomer" Oscar Isaac is fantastic as Llewyn too, playing him with such dark subtlety and angst. He's what I think of as the epitome of 60s folk-- the look, the sound, everything. And, the magic of the brothers comes to light as they actually made me not completely hate Carey Mulligan in a film. She's actually very good in it, and gets some of the biggest laughs.
This film is a definite Oscar contender for sure. And, it's soundtrack is as good as their last musical feat O Brother Where Art Thou. In the caliber of Coen Brothers films, I would say it ranks near the top of the middle. Right around Burn After Reading, Barton Fink, and A Serious Man. But in the realm of 2013 films this is definitely among the top of the class.
A-
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