Inside Llewyn Davis

Since reading the glowing reviews which followed the premiere of the latest Coen Brothers film, 'Inside Llewyn Davis', I have been looking forward to the general release. Clearly I was not alone as the Tyneside Cinema was fairly packed for the mid afternoon screening yesterday.

Set mainly within Greenwich Village, New York during 1961, the story deals with a young and penniless folk singer (played by Oscar Issac) who plies his trade in the various folk clubs situated within the 'village'. The names of real life characters from those days are either not mentioned at all (as in the Aran sweater bedecked Clancy Brothers) or are hidden behind fictitious names. Despite such subterfuge it is still not too difficult to identify Albert Grossman, Peter, Paul & Mary and Tom Paxton. Besides identifying the characters, it is also a lot of fun spotting the various Greenwich Village locations. The directors have done a great job of recreating those famous streets in the early 1960's.

Regarding the film itself, I have to say that the acting was excellent and the music was superb. We were not just offered short song samples but for the most part, we were able to witness and enjoy full performances, many of them being quite mesmerising. Sadly I have to say that the storyline (for what it was) was quite disappointing and the film lacked the cutting humour so often found in previous Coen Brothers films. John Goodman played one of his usual cameo parts but sadly this fell within the least interesting part of the film as Davis travelled to Chicago and then travelled back. Not much happened in between and I wondered as to the purpose of that section of the film.

Nevertheless it was an enjoyable experience and thanks to the soundtrack album, the songs will live with me for some time. As to the best acting performance in the film. I'd say it was a toss up between Oscar Issac playing the title character or Ulysses the cat. See the film and you will know what I mean.

First Thoughts - Inside Llewyn Davis

As a long time fan of movies by the Coen brothers, I am of course looking forward to seeing their latest work, 'Inside Llewyn Davis'. Over the weekend I have been reading the reviews of the first screening of the movie at the Cannes Film Festival and they have certainly whetted my appetite.

Being a fan of the early Bob Dylan I have something of a fascination for Greenwich Village in the early 1960s and spent an unhealthy amount of my time on my visit to New York City, seeking out some of the venues and addresses made famous during that period. It appears that this film brings the period to life being very very loosely based upon the memoirs of Dave van Ronk, 'The Mayor of MacDougal Street'. The film also sees the Coens reunited with songwriter/producer T-Bone Burnett following their successful venture into American music history in the wonderful 'O Brother, Where Art Thou?'.

It may be some time before the film hits these shores but if the word coming out of Cannes is anything to go by, I will be one of the first in line for a ticket. I suspect I will get as much fun checking out the film locations and identifying those characters that are based on real people (Dylan, Grossman etc.) as I will following the storyline. Hopefully the soundtrack will be worth hearing too.