Inside Llewyn Davis

“If it was never new, and it never gets old, then it’s a folk song.”         -Llewyn Davis

Inside Llewyn Davis follows a week in the life of a struggling folk singer (Oscar Issac), as he navigates the pre-Bob Dylan Greenwich Village folk scene of 1961 and takes a road trip to find legendary producer Bud Grossman (Homeland’s F. Murray Abraham).

The music, overseen by T. Bone Burnett, cleverly corresponds with each concept of the story. And often, with this main character that is often short on words, the tunes complete the film’s thoughts.

With Llewyn, a musician slipping through the cracks, it seems the cynical, philosophical Coen brothers have a self righteous, self destructing hero that even they could love. Thoughtful audiences will too.

Folks will either find it to be a major downer or one of the most memorable movie experiences of the year. For me, it was the latter.

Simply put:  Offbeat and endearing to some; it’s a folkin' divider.

Award potential: Newcomer Oscar Isaac was nominated for a Golden Globe in the comedy/music category but the senior competition is too tough for the Best Actor Oscar. A Best Screenplay nomination is this film’s best hope at an Academy Award nod.

Yes, JT is just fine in his role but nothing more. Casey Mulligan, as she did in The Great Gatsby, Drive, Public Enemies and even Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps, sucks the life out of every scene she is in.

The ten buck review: Worth ten bucks.