A cat is the catalyst for the Cohen Brothers latest film, INSIDE LLEWYN DAVIS, a fun filled frolic through the folk music scene of the Sixties.
A veteran sofa surfer, Llewyn’s latest lie-down has a feline who pussyfoots into fugitive fur. Responsible enough to solo posse after the pussy, the paw loose moggie leads the muso on a merry chase through New York streets and subways.
It’s a frenetic start to a film that has all the hallmarks of a Cohen Brother’s picture – eccentric characters, wild situations and zinger dialogue.
Llewyn Davis is a singer on the cusp of critical and commercial success but fame seems as elusive as that darn cat. Once a member of a duo, his partner threw himself off George Washington Bridge, second choice for jumpers on the Hudson. He maintains a relationship with his partner’s parents where he dosses and dines but the troubled waters of the bridge suicide cannot continually conceal the hurt and frustration felt by both parties.
Llewyn craves fame or at least recognition for his work but despises selling out; to struggle and then to compromise is total anathema.
Oscar Isaacs gives a breakout performance as Llewyn, artistic temperament teetering on the eaves of destruction, his ceiling seemingly sealed.
Justin Timberlake and Carey Mulligan are the bee’s nicks as Jim and Jean, fellow folkies who seem to have cracked the industry with a commercially pitched act. Davis has had a dalliance with Jean, the infidelity compromised by fertility.
As usual the Coen’s populate their film with a meticulous supporting cast – F Murray Abraham as Bud Grossman, impresario, John Goodman as a mysterious and belligerent blues singer, Roland Turner, Jerry Grayson as Mel Novikoff, Llewyn’s booking agent and Sylvia Kordas as his secretary – comedy gold.
Shot by Bruno Delbonnel, costumed by Mary Zophres, the film looks a billion dollars and sounds a billion dollars thanks to the music overseer T Bone Burnett who worked with the Coens on O, Brother and True Grit. He’s assisted by Marcus Mumford and the soundtrack alone is worth the price of admission.
The reworking of folk songs from the era gives the film a vertebra that supplies a strong and superlative carriage for all the components of the film.
INSIDE LLEWYN DAVIS is classic Coen Brothers –funny, poignant, different with an eye and ear to every detail. Dazzling.