Inside Llewyn Davis

3

NichtschwertJan 8, 2014

The music in this movie is terrific and the performances were really good all around. Sadly, this movie lacks any kind of plot. It is a pure atmosphere kind of movie with comedic elements to lighten the mood. And the mood is in dire need ofThe music in this movie is terrific and the performances were really good all around. Sadly, this movie lacks any kind of plot. It is a pure atmosphere kind of movie with comedic elements to lighten the mood. And the mood is in dire need of being lightened, because this movie is depressing. Everything out titular protagonist touches turns, to quote another character in the movie: "to ****
I do not like this sort of movie. It was really hard to care for anything in this movie, because everything that happened was pointless and ended in nothing but disappointment.
I like movies that do more than just flop all over the place with things happening without anything ever being achieved.
Some ideas in this movie sound good on paper, but make for nothing but boredom in practise.
if you enjoy movies driven by atmosphere and a rather realistic portrayal of a character's life being mildly but tenaciously awful, do give this movie a watch. Otherwise, steer clear.… Expand

1 of 5 users found this helpful14

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1

melfotogJan 7, 2014

The most idiotic, pointless, boring waste of time in a movie theater I experienced in a long time. There was not one scene worth watching or anything about this film that is worth remembering. I have seen Lawrence of Arabia many time, all 4The most idiotic, pointless, boring waste of time in a movie theater I experienced in a long time. There was not one scene worth watching or anything about this film that is worth remembering. I have seen Lawrence of Arabia many time, all 4 hours of it ,and it seemed much shorter than this pathetic bore. I do not know how anyone could write anything positive about this film.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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4

BenWattsJan 6, 2014

Worst Coen Bros. movie of the century. When the movie ends, you realize that nothing has happened Davis is the same jerk at the start as he is at the closing credits. I'd rather have spent two hours with John Goodman's jazzman or the shadowyWorst Coen Bros. movie of the century. When the movie ends, you realize that nothing has happened Davis is the same jerk at the start as he is at the closing credits. I'd rather have spent two hours with John Goodman's jazzman or the shadowy Bob, who appears for a few seconds. On the other hand, I have this urge to rent "The Incredible Journey" and ponder the obscure connections between the two movies. Maybe Llewyn Davis is a cat!… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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10

hushpuppyJan 4, 2014

For all over the fake fans who so boldly claim they're "true" Coenn brothers fans you would know they always leave plot holes and rarely finish plot points. If you truly are a fan of the Coenn brothers you will love this. That being said thisFor all over the fake fans who so boldly claim they're "true" Coenn brothers fans you would know they always leave plot holes and rarely finish plot points. If you truly are a fan of the Coenn brothers you will love this. That being said this is one of their best works yet, every thing about it is amazing. One second it will have you on the verge of depression yet the next it will have you laughing your ass off. So please don't listen to the on this post who are giving this terrible reviews just for attention, go see it. You won't regret it.… Expand

2 of 6 users found this helpful24

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10

PersonExistingPJan 3, 2014

Mighty river
runs muddy and wild,
can't care the bloody
for my unborn child.
Fare thee well, my honey,
fare thee well.

Number nine train
done no harm,
number nine train,
take my poor baby home.
Fare thee well, my honey,
fare thee well.

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

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10

MisterElectricJan 3, 2014

A gorgeous, somber, slowly paced moving work of filmmaking written to polarize and sadden. A wholehearted tribute to folk music and the many talented who didn't quite have a place in the world.

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

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4

SloansterJan 2, 2014

I found this movie to be a waste of money and time. I would not recommend this movie to younger ages at all unless they need a nap. I have really liked Coens especially in their movie "The Big Lebowski" but this was just awful. The onlyI found this movie to be a waste of money and time. I would not recommend this movie to younger ages at all unless they need a nap. I have really liked Coens especially in their movie "The Big Lebowski" but this was just awful. The only reason why I didn't give it a flat 0 is because the ending made me think and I usually enjoy that. Overall, I would see this if you like folk music or you are a Coen brothers fan boy.… Expand

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

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5

sofloboJan 2, 2014

Generally the Coen brothers make movies I really like but for the life of me I don't get this one. Spare plot, depressing setting, unsympathetic major character. I love folk music but this was only average. A few laughs here and there andGenerally the Coen brothers make movies I really like but for the life of me I don't get this one. Spare plot, depressing setting, unsympathetic major character. I love folk music but this was only average. A few laughs here and there and Carey Mulligan is outstanding. A miss.… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

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2

BenardenJan 1, 2014

Admittedly, I felt like walking out of this film it gets so boring.
I also did get teary eyed at one of the songs.
Maybe this version tested well in Tuscon or whatever but It felt like The Coen Brothers ran out of material for a film. IAdmittedly, I felt like walking out of this film it gets so boring.
I also did get teary eyed at one of the songs.
Maybe this version tested well in Tuscon or whatever but
It felt like The Coen Brothers ran out of material for a film.
I also think they chickened out" on the music.
( google "dave van ronk" third one down. Finally, the script
needed work, developing the characters and adding back story.
Cary Mulligan and Oscar Issacs do heroic work, as does the rest of the cast
but they can't save this film.
This infield pop-up, missed by colliding critics gives them a single on errors.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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0

weirdoomovieDec 31, 2013

Disappointing. I've come to look forward to Coen bros movies. (well, uhm, not anymore after this one... and yeah, come to think of it, Barton Fink). It is well acted and the music is ok, but the story, characters, setting,Disappointing. I've come to look forward to Coen bros movies. (well, uhm, not anymore after this one... and yeah, come to think of it, Barton Fink). It is well acted and the music is ok, but the story, characters, setting, circumstances are all so dreadful that I had to resist walking out at least twice. The Bros served up a stinker with this one... all the hype, ads and cheerful critics can't persuade me that this is a gold nugget. By all means, if you enjoy being hoodwinked by the opinions of the critics, go for it. If you really want to see an entertaining and marvelous bit of tape, see the 1hour 40 minute musical number that was done in conjunction with this film.… Expand

2 of 15 users found this helpful213

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0

Unvarnished1Dec 31, 2013

As a big fan of the Cohen brothers prior work, I have to say that this movie was simply terrible. The fact that the critics are praising this film ad nauseam just shows that they should be ignored and that the system is rigged. As you watchAs a big fan of the Cohen brothers prior work, I have to say that this movie was simply terrible. The fact that the critics are praising this film ad nauseam just shows that they should be ignored and that the system is rigged. As you watch the film, you feel yourself waiting anxiously for something to actually happen. Instead, absolutely nothing happens. The central character is disconnected and not believable as a 60s folk singer. There's no discernible plot. The cast feels over dramatic. The movie goes nowhere. I'm fortunate that I'm a voting member of a Hollywood guild so that I can transfer my whining here into a No Vote! By far the worst film I've seen this year. Ask yourself this....if this didn't have the Cohen brothers Hollywood machine behind it, would the critics have lauded this film even remotely as much? I think we all know the answer to that.… Expand

2 of 5 users found this helpful23

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3

AxgrinderDec 30, 2013

The critics love Inside Llewyn Davis. A few even proclaim that Joel and Ethan Coen are the greatest filmmakers in America. But look past all those 100 pt. scores and notice the choice of words they use to describe this film. Words likeThe critics love Inside Llewyn Davis. A few even proclaim that Joel and Ethan Coen are the greatest filmmakers in America. But look past all those 100 pt. scores and notice the choice of words they use to describe this film. Words like small, painful, heavy, melancholy, bleak, deeply felt and exquisitely crafted. Few, if any, of them describe this movie as clever, interesting or entertaining. That’s because it isn’t.
Here’s more of what this movie isn’t. It isn’t funny. The night I saw this movie, the theater was sold out. No one laughed, not even once. Also, the songs aren’t that great. Unlike O’ Brother, Where Art Thou?, you’re not going to be singing any of these songs to yourself as you walk out the door, and you’re not likely to hear them on the radio, or anywhere else, ever again. (Sorry T-Bone.) Worst of all, the story isn’t very interesting or entertaining. It’s about a folk singer struggling to make it as a musician. He takes himself very seriously, and he thinks he’s better than everyone else. He makes a lot of bad decisions and pretty much alienates everyone around him. It turns out he’s not that good a song writer, and he gets beat up for being a jerk. Then the movie ends. (No one applauded. Everyone was too busy scratching their head and saying “Huh?”) No Country for Old Men was something of a head scratcher too, but at least it was interesting. My first reaction to this firm was, “Huh?” followed by “Wow, that was totally pointless.” (If you’ve seen Fruitvale Station then you know what I’m talking about.)… Expand

3 of 8 users found this helpful35

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6

netflicDec 30, 2013

I generally like movies made by Coen brothers and always look forward to seeing them.
The last one, though, left me surprisingly un-moved. Not that the quality is not there, no, it is done quite masterfully. But something is missing. TheI generally like movies made by Coen brothers and always look forward to seeing them.
The last one, though, left me surprisingly un-moved. Not that the quality is not there, no, it is done quite masterfully. But something is missing. The script does have a few funny lines but there is nothing new in the story, and frankly, it is quite boring.

I would probably like it more if the folk music appealed to me but it did not.
So, "Inside Llewyn Davis" I did not find much of anything... Except, probably a snap-shot of 60-th and 70-th...… Expand

2 of 5 users found this helpful23

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8

axelkochDec 30, 2013

Llewyn Davis, a loose take on the folk singer Dave Van Volk, will, in hindsight, not be remembered as one of the Coen brothers’ most interesting characters and neither will the movie, in which he is the eponymous protagonist. However, InsideLlewyn Davis, a loose take on the folk singer Dave Van Volk, will, in hindsight, not be remembered as one of the Coen brothers’ most interesting characters and neither will the movie, in which he is the eponymous protagonist. However, Inside Llewyn Davis is still another great picture by the inseparable duo that can deservedly look forward to a couple of Oscar nominations in January.

Whether it’s the trademark cynical writing, the excellent acting throughout the cast, the bleak yet beautiful cinematography (even though it’s not Coen regular Roger Deakins this time around, but Amélie’s Bruno Delbonnel), or the perfectly done editing (reaching its pinnacle in a sort of match-cut between a man and a cat walking) this semi-musical is done flawlessly and should be a feast for connoisseurs of quality movies. Yet I can’t exclude the fact that the 105 minutes feels like a lot more than that and that the full-length folk performances popping up every now and then only increase this. That’s not an all-too-strong counterargument though, as the sheer fact that Ethan and Joel Coen succeeded in making a so heavily down-to-earth and unspectacular story into a movie that I will definitely watch some time again is enough for praise. The protagonist, as it turns out, is probably the most relatable character in the year of 2013 and seeing him perpetually fail in his attempts at becoming able to really live from his hobby gets all the more harrowing to watch through that.

Inside Llewyn Davis is the perfect dramedy and additionally a lovely experience for fellow cat-lovers, as the tubby with the aptonym Ulysses gets more screen time to be cute than all the supporting actors. That again shows that it’s all about Llewyn and his never-ending cycle of failing, which makes the movie, despite being a step back in humour and inventiveness, a Coen number one: in the category of those of their works one can easily spend an hour thinking about.… Expand

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

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0

PvdadDec 30, 2013

Music good. Characters believable. Plot line almost invisible. Deathly boring. I sat there expecting something to actually happen. It didn't. It started out boring and became, well, depressing. Don't waste money on this one.

4 of 8 users found this helpful44

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4

najohnstonDec 29, 2013

This is a highly disappointing film. The critical acclaim made me rush with excitement to see this new Cohen Brothers offering. But it is just plain dull. Yes, it's production, casting and music are exceptional. But it does not at allThis is a highly disappointing film. The critical acclaim made me rush with excitement to see this new Cohen Brothers offering. But it is just plain dull. Yes, it's production, casting and music are exceptional. But it does not at all entertain the audience. I kept waiting for Llewyn Davis to do something that would make me care, that would move me, but he didn't. And in fact, not many of the other characters did much for me either. A lot of effort went into making a beautiful but boring movie.… Expand

5 of 7 users found this helpful52

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1

betonomiteDec 28, 2013

Save your money and time, really!!! I am a great fan of the Coen's other movies but this one has no sympathetic characters, is so slow as to make a speed freak drowsy, has no particular plot, and to boot the music was neither interesting orSave your money and time, really!!! I am a great fan of the Coen's other movies but this one has no sympathetic characters, is so slow as to make a speed freak drowsy, has no particular plot, and to boot the music was neither interesting or added anything to the movie. I wanted my money back but the theater only gave me a free coke.… Expand

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

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10

BananafishDec 27, 2013

Outstanding. Inside Llewyn Davis is an intellectual, heartfelt look into a period of time long lost. One man's timeless struggles, frustrations and demons.

2 of 7 users found this helpful25

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4

ScraperDec 27, 2013

It's guaranteed that the Coens will leave no detail behind in their settings which is why everyone will give their films a chance and why critics will have their reviews written before seeing the movie. Inside Llewyn Davis is no differentIt's guaranteed that the Coens will leave no detail behind in their settings which is why everyone will give their films a chance and why critics will have their reviews written before seeing the movie. Inside Llewyn Davis is no different from the scarves, to the office chairs, the lovely echo in the empty hall as Llewyn goes a cappella, to the silver in the quarters making a ring as they're dropped on the table, everything of the period is cared for. But in this movie you will find no trace of characters developing their relationships with one another. The ambient light on skin, as beautiful as it may be at times, stays stagnant for two hours. All of the characters' minds were made up before your butt hits the theater seat.… Expand

5 of 9 users found this helpful54

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0

panicultureDec 27, 2013

An execrable pile of offensive nonsense. A total jerk and animal abuse. Possibly the Coen's worst; subverting their main character at every opportunity, without a shred of redemption, this horrendous pastiche shrinks to a pinpoint ofAn execrable pile of offensive nonsense. A total jerk and animal abuse. Possibly the Coen's worst; subverting their main character at every opportunity, without a shred of redemption, this horrendous pastiche shrinks to a pinpoint of depressing nastiness. Not even remotely a convincing recreation of life in the Village c. 1960. Awful awful awful.… Expand

3 of 4 users found this helpful31

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4

csw12Dec 26, 2013

Inside Llewyn Davis is saved from total boredom and disaster by one decent song and a few good laughs. The movie is so slow and at the same time didn't make me care about the pathetic main character who insists on continually screwing his life up.

2 of 6 users found this helpful24

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3

Trev29Dec 26, 2013

I understand that the movie's intention is to be dreary, bleak, and so on, but it comes off as boring, overlong, and with no satisfying conclusion. The music was a mixed bag with more bad than good. Some characters felt worthless.

5 of 9 users found this helpful54

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1

folkchickDec 25, 2013

This film was supposedly "inspired" by the hilarious book "The Mayor Of MacDougal Street" by Dave Van Ronk, the larger-than-life Greenwich Village folk legend. Somehow, against all odds, the Coen Bros managed to create a dull, plodding,This film was supposedly "inspired" by the hilarious book "The Mayor Of MacDougal Street" by Dave Van Ronk, the larger-than-life Greenwich Village folk legend. Somehow, against all odds, the Coen Bros managed to create a dull, plodding, joyless, pointless film. The only good that can come from this movie is the spotlight shining on the late great Dave Van Ronk and re-introducing his work to the world.

If you go see this film keep in mind that that Coens got everything wrong the folk scene was energetic, fun, lively, bursting with life, and the best of the singer/songwriters were very supportive of each other. It was Dave Van Ronk who first said: "Never root against your competitor if what they are doing is good music. When music of quality sells it's good for all of us." He also said, "Honesty can be the cruelest game of all. Not only can someone hurt you and hurt you to the bone they can feel self righteous about it at the same time." And this: "Never make the mistake of thinking someone you don't like, likes you." (You have to think about that for a second).

You'd never imagine anything like that coming out of the mouth of Llewyn Davis.

You can probably guess that I knew Van Ronk, and like many of my compatriots, am baffled how such a bleak film sprang from such brilliantly witty source material. They should have thought twice about using Dave Van Ronk's name to give this film a sort of street cred. There's too many of us out here who see how false this film rings, and because of our love and reverence for the man, feel compelled to speak up on his behalf.… Expand

4 of 6 users found this helpful42

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5

FilipanOtinanDec 23, 2013

What can someone say about that film. That Cohen's have the money & the means to create it? That, it is only accepted because of them? BOTH work here boys/girls since no one would ever could create the story behind an insignificant, old &What can someone say about that film. That Cohen's have the money & the means to create it? That, it is only accepted because of them? BOTH work here boys/girls since no one would ever could create the story behind an insignificant, old & dusty random vinyl someone's majesty could notice somewhere under a sofa.. As, none each of us would have ever wonder & exposed ur curiosity to the story behind the cover. Space & Time work in parallel way with the actual space. Just take a look around u, when u watching it… Expand

0 of 3 users found this helpful03

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5

LowbrowCinemaDec 22, 2013

Sometimes the Coen Brothers really surprise me but this time they didn't. INSIDE LLEWYN DAVIS is beautifully made, produced and especially shot but ultimately what's really the point? A true exercise in futility that always captures yourSometimes the Coen Brothers really surprise me but this time they didn't. INSIDE LLEWYN DAVIS is beautifully made, produced and especially shot but ultimately what's really the point? A true exercise in futility that always captures your attention but then fades from memory.… Expand

2 of 4 users found this helpful22

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2

BoychickDec 21, 2013

There is nothing Inside Llewyn Davis. it's a beautifully produced fraud. The movie goes nowhere. Nothing happens. The Coens have written a movie about an era, rather than a story with a beginning, middle, and end. I cannot believe the reviewsThere is nothing Inside Llewyn Davis. it's a beautifully produced fraud. The movie goes nowhere. Nothing happens. The Coens have written a movie about an era, rather than a story with a beginning, middle, and end. I cannot believe the reviews it has received. I wanted to love this movie. It is very unsatisfying. The audience I saw it with, was looking at each other, as if to say, "Is that all there is? When is the story going to begin?" Don't waste your money.… Expand

5 of 8 users found this helpful53

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4

jdicksteihnDec 21, 2013

I'm surprised so many people were able to convince themselves that they enjoyed the movie. You really get little more than you get from watching the trailer. It looks and sounds nice, and seems to be an interesting glimpse into the period,I'm surprised so many people were able to convince themselves that they enjoyed the movie. You really get little more than you get from watching the trailer. It looks and sounds nice, and seems to be an interesting glimpse into the period, but nothing really happens. Felt like an overextended short film. The kind that just gives you a glimpse into someone's life, without really taking the character through the paces normally required for a feature film.… Expand

2 of 6 users found this helpful24

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9

Mike_MDec 21, 2013

For those of you who are considering seeing this movie, a few thoughts:
-From my point of view, the user-reviewers who didn't like it missed out on the subtleties and complexities of character and tone. A movie's not obliged to follow theFor those of you who are considering seeing this movie, a few thoughts:
-From my point of view, the user-reviewers who didn't like it missed out on the subtleties and complexities of character and tone. A movie's not obliged to follow the same form as most, or tell a story we've heard before.
-There's odd, dry humor that percolates through it, as you might expect from the Coen brothers, but this is their more serious side.
-Unlike many of their other movies, this has a more sincere warmth to go with the darkness, the oddness, and the intelligence.
-It's a rich, sad, dark winter's tale. It's the kind of stiff drink of storytelling that would not be out of place in the Bible or Gilgamesh or other classic literature. It's about a man stuck in a time and place and manner of being, as he hits up against the limits of what is possible for him, and often is his own worst enemy.
-See this when you are in the mood for more nutritious entertainment, and feel free to give yourself just enough distance from the main character that you can have a good look at what makes him human.
-The music is great, and it's all live performances.… Expand

0 of 4 users found this helpful04

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8

SchmigerDec 19, 2013

First of all: Don't let yourself be fooled by reviews acclaiming "I love all of their work, but this work of'em has no concluding story etc." I'd ask each and everyone of them: "Which Coen movie actually has these features?"

For me, thisFirst of all: Don't let yourself be fooled by reviews acclaiming "I love all of their work, but this work of'em has no concluding story etc." I'd ask each and everyone of them: "Which Coen movie actually has these features?"

For me, this movie has been great for several reasons... I really like the kind of music the movie is centered around & and I generally like the way the Coen Brothers make their movies, not heavily focusing on a concluding story, standards or anything, but always trying to create something that will make you laugh at absurdity, as it was for me with movies like "The Big Lebowski", "Oh Brother..." or "Burn after Reading". This combined with a nice sidekick in form of a cat let me had a really nice evening enjoying this movie. I got what I expected, the 105 minutes really flew by.

If I had to compare this one with other work of the Coen Brothers, I'd say it is somehow similar to "Oh Brother...", but with a very different setting and tone. So if you like the music & you like more movies from the Coen Brothers besides "No Country for Old Men", you shouldn't be to disappointed watching this one.… Expand

3 of 6 users found this helpful33

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2

guyatthemoviesDec 18, 2013

The Cohen Brothers were unable to make me care about their pathetic main character who insists on continually screwing his life up. That would be fine if there were a point to it, but that is also absent. No redemption, just a downward spiralThe Cohen Brothers were unable to make me care about their pathetic main character who insists on continually screwing his life up. That would be fine if there were a point to it, but that is also absent. No redemption, just a downward spiral where the main character goes down the drain like the story does. Great acting and signing and songs thanks, T Bone Burnett! A sadly disappointing nothing of a movie.… Expand

2 of 7 users found this helpful25

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10

DumboMageeDec 15, 2013

I've been a huge Coen Brothers fan for a long time, my favorites being Fargo and A Serious Man. I think this might be their best film yet. The writing is just incredible, the songs, the music, the acting, the cinematography all flawless.I've been a huge Coen Brothers fan for a long time, my favorites being Fargo and A Serious Man. I think this might be their best film yet. The writing is just incredible, the songs, the music, the acting, the cinematography all flawless. No one makes movies like them, so unique and inspiring, heartbreaking and honest. I was blown away by Oscar Isaac, his performance will garner plenty of awards. This movie is a masterpiece.… Expand

3 of 8 users found this helpful35

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10

waynDec 11, 2013

The coens are back inside llewyn davis is a powerful,emotional with coens directing which might be a Oscars winning movie in what ever category with oscar issac delivering a career best performance and the music score that touches your heartThe coens are back inside llewyn davis is a powerful,emotional with coens directing which might be a Oscars winning movie in what ever category with oscar issac delivering a career best performance and the music score that touches your heart and fills it with emotions that cuts right through the movie… Expand

5 of 9 users found this helpful54

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2

roosevelt323Dec 10, 2013

Somebody made this movie? I'm a movie buff... and while I was in Hollywood at the Cineramadome complex to see the Mandela movie... I noticed that this movie was sold out and it was playing in the main Dome area. So as the lamb that I am.. ISomebody made this movie? I'm a movie buff... and while I was in Hollywood at the Cineramadome complex to see the Mandela movie... I noticed that this movie was sold out and it was playing in the main Dome area. So as the lamb that I am.. I followed the crowd. Boy... were we disappointed!! I say we because the whole crowd was left in the dark... literally. The plot was pointless.. the songs became annoying.. and worse part... the ending was abyssmal. The movie cuts to darkness and the movie ends abruptly at a point in the movie where you might thing it was gonna pick up. Nope it ended. Dont waste your money... time.. or the memory of such garbage. If misery and hard fortune was the aim of this movie... it was accomplished... but at our expense. Literally.... our money and our time... Please tell other people to avoid this sorry excuse for a movie… Expand

2 of 13 users found this helpful211

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3

tRex1000Dec 9, 2013

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. nothing happens in this movie. love the coen bros., but this falls toward the bottom of their filmography. i could forgive the story if the individual scenes were entertaining, but they weren't. just put the trailer on, pause it on the main guys face, and look at it for an hour and half. that's pretty much it.… Expand

5 of 20 users found this helpful515

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4

lenny68Dec 9, 2013

I agree with DirkV. I too am a big fan of much of their work, and when they successfully combine their unique visual flair, humour and a good story they are peerless. This just left me cold. Like another overrated film of theirs, OI agree with DirkV. I too am a big fan of much of their work, and when they successfully combine their unique visual flair, humour and a good story they are peerless. This just left me cold. Like another overrated film of theirs, O Brother..., this had virtually no substance whatsoever.… Expand

7 of 19 users found this helpful712

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10

DmitryPortnoyDec 8, 2013

"Inside Llewyn Davis" is a masterly work of exquisite beauty, rigorous discipline, and supreme confidence. The Coens have purged the violence of "Blood Simple," "Miller's Crossing," and "No Country for Old Men," the jokiness of "Raising"Inside Llewyn Davis" is a masterly work of exquisite beauty, rigorous discipline, and supreme confidence. The Coens have purged the violence of "Blood Simple," "Miller's Crossing," and "No Country for Old Men," the jokiness of "Raising Arizona," the grotesquery of "Barton Fink," the college-dorm philosophizing of "The Big Lebowski" and "A Serious Man," the cornball regionalism of "Fargo" and "O Brother, Where Art Thou"--in short, all of their trademarks as filmmakers--and the result? With all those crutches kicked away, this movie levitates in mid-air, as perfect as a pearl, priceless, graspable, mysterious, layered, aglow. It demands to be seen in a theater, in the dark, with an audience that erupts in laughter, then lapses in rapt silence. With Woody Allen's "Manhattan," and William Friedkin's "The French Connection," it is also that rare cinematic portrait of New York worthy of its subject.… Expand

7 of 13 users found this helpful76

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5

DirkVDec 8, 2013

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. i usually LOVE Coen Bros. films. Oh well. The music was great to listen to in this one, and it was filmed beautifully, but there was no story. So I was completely disengaged. When the film ended my viewing companion and i looked at each other and shrugged, and said, that's 2 hours we'll never get back.… Expand

2 of 11 users found this helpful29

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10

ThegodfathersonDec 7, 2013

INSIDE LLEWYN DAVIS is a feat of filmmaking, taking the gentle strains of folk music and revealing it for the revolutionary act that it is. Not just because it has been the soundtrack of many social movements, but of personal ones, too. OscarINSIDE LLEWYN DAVIS is a feat of filmmaking, taking the gentle strains of folk music and revealing it for the revolutionary act that it is. Not just because it has been the soundtrack of many social movements, but of personal ones, too. Oscar Isaac as Llewyn is revelatory, a bone-tired, supremely talented man whose passion for making music is struggling mightily against the whims of the industry and his demons one being the loss of his musical partner to suicide. When Isaac sings, we're transported first to the dusky bars of 1960s West Village and, more important, to the jungle of discouragement and confusion he's living in. It's a powerful performance. Supporting him is a great ensemble, some new to the Coen Brothers family (Timberlake, thankfully subdued and nearly holding his own against the others) and some beloved veterans (Goodman). It's not just Isaac and the cast, though, that makes Inside Llewyn Davis remarkable. The music, with T-Bone Burnett in charge of the soundtrack, takes its rightful place front and center. And the Coens tell the story in a clever, elliptical way that drives home the futility and magic of a time. But it's not all sadness and tears. The Coens' singular humor runs a streak through the entire enterprise. Go see it.… Expand

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