Inside Llewyn Davis
U/A: Drama
Dir: Joel and Ethan Coen
Cast: Oscar Isaac, Carey Mulligan

The Coen brothers’ movies have always been weird, unpredictable, neurotic, always funny and never depressing. So it’s quite surprising when you discover that Inside Llewyn Davis is their bleakest, saddest film to date. The change in tone didn’t seem to have had any effect on quality though, because the Coens are in top form as always.

Set in NYC in the ’60s, the film chronicles the life of titular character Davis, a struggling folk musician (played to grim perfection by Oscar Isaac), who is having a hard time keeping up with his famous father’s reputation and paying rent. Davis couchsurfs his way through life, often depending on friends, exes and the generosity of rich acquaintances who render him some token remuneration in exchange for a song or two. His life takes a big turn when he pursues an escaped ginger cat across the city and re-examines his struggle and his life’s purpose. The cat is a wonderful little metaphor and anyone who has had a tussle with following their dream and making money out of it will be able to connect with Davis and his problems.