The man with the orange cat

Inside Llywen Davis Review

What strikes you first about this film is the stunning cinematography. From the opening shots, the music melds with the view, to create a warm aura that invites us to come join Llewyn on his journey. It’s second only to Prisoners, the film that stole Deakins away from the Coens. The palette is appropriately bleak for a film about the depressing and muted life of one Llewyn Davis. The film does an excellent job of showing the morose, seemingly endless sadness of the disappointment that follows the lead around on his quest to not just find success, but find his place in life. The bleakness that follows Llewyn is starkly contrasted by those who have found joy and purpose in their lives.

This muted sadness applies to all the struggling musicians in the film, from Jim and Jean to Al Cody and the rest. They struggle and have little to show for it and yet they stay true to their goals. Some, like Jim and Jill are hinted to be on the breaking point, while others like Johnny Five, just can’t seem to catch a break. The opposite is shown for their counterparts who have seemed to accept their lot in life, like the Gorfiens and Llywen’s sister. These characters lives are filled with colour and joy even if, according to Llywen, they have settled. Each actor plays their role with a quiet depth and soulfulness that is typical of a Coen film.

F. Murray Abraham brings heart to his cold efficiency as a number money driven talent manager. Abraham’s, Grossman brings to light the kind of creative sacrifice that Davis is unwilling to submit to. Along with the script, Abraham manages to deliver the final blow in such a way that it makes Llewyn look the fool, rather than Grossman being a villain.

Carrey Mulligan proves once more that she is the best young actress in the mainstream as the unfaithful Jean. She brings talent well beyond her years, outmatching many of her more experienced counterparts in the business. Timberlake once more brings his magnetic presence to the naïve Jim. Llewyn’s relationship with the Jim and Jean is a two sided coin, showing the difference between someone who is trying to succeed through talent alone and those who work hard and are willing to make small and great sacrifices in order to achieve their goals.

The entire supporting cast does a wonderful job as is par for a film of this pedigree, but at the end of the day it is Isaac who really shines. The Coens wrote a wonderful part about a man who has lost his way in the world. He knows he has talent, but knows not how to make the light shine down upon it. After having losing his musical sidekick he floats through Greenwich, never knowing what’s next or how to reach the treasure at the end of his journey.  It’s a wonderful role that finally brings Isaac to the leading man’s role which he has been hinting at quite a bit with his past performances. He brings depth and great timing to the role. His ticks are always on cue and his grimaces say more about him and his thoughts than words ever could.  It’s a shame he wasn’t nominated for an Oscar.

Sadly, the film’s not all muted sunshine and roses.  The muted tones and bleak story, mixed with the Coens unusual sense of humour may leave you wondering, why? What am I watching? Where is this going? About halfway through, this is what I found myself asking of the film. As usual the contemplative nature of their films leaves you with more questions than it answers. These questions aren’t really meant to be answered though, they’re meant to be pondered so that the audience can come to its own conclusion. The ending is also appropriately bleak, so don’t expect to walk out with a skip in your step.

In closing, this is a really good film, but those who aren’t fans of Coens dramatic comedies may very well be left bewildered. Those who stick through the entirety of this poetic film will find it filled with wonderful performances, tiny little throw away jokes, “shahkmateh?” that add to the world and some great folk music and a deep and ultimately fulfilling tale of the crushing strive to be an artist.