Inside Llewyn Davis

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Inside Llewyn Davis

R

Released Dec 20, 2013

1h 44m

Drama

Comedy

Music

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

92%

Tomatometer

292 Reviews

74%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

In 1961 New York City, folk singer Llewyn Davis (Oscar Isaac) is at a crossroads. Guitar in hand, he struggles against seemingly insurmountable obstacles to make a name for himself in the music world, but so far, success remains elusive. Relying on the kindness of both friends and strangers, Llewyn embarks on an odyssey that takes him from the streets of Greenwich Village to a Chicago club, where awaits a music mogul who could give him the big break that he desperately needs.

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Critics Consensus

Smart, funny, and profoundly melancholy, Inside Llewyn Davis finds the Coen brothers in fine form.

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Candice Frederick

Reel Talk Online

... the pretentiousness is overwhelming, which is unfortunate because the outline has potential to be a great Coen brothers film but ultimately becomes weighed down by its own emotions.

Rated: C+

Sep 6, 2017

Full Review

Larushka Ivan-Zadeh

metro.co.uk

The direction is pitch-perfect; the characters unique and eccentric yet fully realised and the script, woven with absurdist comedy, a marvel

Rated: 5/5

Sep 6, 2017

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Jason Bailey

Flavorwire

They beautifully and convincingly recreate the streets and coffee shops where he dwells, and seem intoxicated with the look and feel of those surroundings.

Jun 19, 2016

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JD Duran

InSession Film

Boy oh boy, is the music of this film remarkable. I will probably listen to the soundtrack on repeat for the next four months.

Aug 13, 2024

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Branyan Towe

Loud and Clear Reviews

Despite playing this character who is very flawed, isolated and distant, Isaac’s charisma still works its way through

Rated: 5/5

Jul 29, 2024

Full Review

Justine Smith

Vague Visages

As many of the Coen Brothers’ films discuss the intersection between destiny and will, Inside Llewyn Davis complicates matters by featuring an artist who is not open to the possibility of success.

Jun 6, 2024

Full Review

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Jenny H

Aimless. Nice guy. Good cast but wouldn’t recommend.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/16/25

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MisterCrow B

A completely pointless film - useless guy tries to find a way of making a living through folk singing and doesn't get anywhere. The end. Oh and he is mean to kitties along the way. Isaac, Mulligan et al are great actors, but the story is non-existent, pointless pretentious rubbish. Why did anyone think this was a good film? I'm guessing it's the same people who think sticking a banana skin on a canvas is "art"...

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

02/04/25

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Kevin P

Terrific cinematography and an engaging albeit frustrating somber narrative about a struggling folk rock singer. The acting is mostly terrific (minus Jean’s actress who tends to play it more over-the-top) and the music is amazingly soothing and somber. It’s a solid deconstruction of the starving artist and cycles of monotonous disappointment from bad habits and missed opportunities, despite getting muddled with making the main character a little too unlikable at times and not really ending on a meaningful note. But I can still relate to the struggling artist themes and appreciate all the cinematic talent that went into this movie despite my gripes. It’s definitely worth a watch.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/24/25

Full Review

Nevin C

Aside from a fantastic film- I’ve never seen a New York 60’s period piece movie look so precise in modern times. It looks like it was shot in the 60’s! Incredible job to the Cohen’s and their set designers and wardrobe. The only other movie to shoot in NYC and make it look convincingly a different period is Soderbergh’s The Knick.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/08/25

Full Review

Al M

One of the great films of the 21st Century, "Inside Llewyn Davis" is one of the Coen Brothers' more understand, quiet moves, such as "A Serious Man," but it recreates 1960s Greenwich village (the environment from Dylan sprang) with perfection while depicting the life of a folk singer who can never quite achieve success.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/26/24

Full Review

Mason M

Inside Llewyn Davis has great music, interesting themes, and a great ending. But the message that it's trying to convey makes it a not very fun watch, that can just feel like an unnecessary series of depressing happenings.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

09/24/24

Full Review

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Joel Coen

Director

Ethan Coen

Director

Oscar Isaac

Llewyn Davis

Carey Mulligan

Jean

John Goodman

Roland Turner

Garrett Hedlund

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Synopsis

In 1961 New York City, folk singer Llewyn Davis (Oscar Isaac) is at a crossroads. Guitar in hand, he struggles against seemingly insurmountable obstacles to make a name for himself in the music world, but so far, success remains elusive. Relying on the kindness of both friends and strangers, Llewyn embarks on an odyssey that takes him from the streets of Greenwich Village to a Chicago club, where awaits a music mogul who could give him the big break that he desperately needs.

Director: Joel Coen, Ethan Coen
Producer: Scott Rudin, Ethan Coen, Joel Coen
Screenwriter: Joel Coen, Ethan Coen
Distributor: CBS Films
Production Co: StudioCanal, Mike Zoss Productions, Anton Capital Entertainment, Scott Rudin Productions
Rating: R (Some Sexual References|Language)
Genre: Drama, Comedy, Music
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 20, 2013, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 11, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA): $13.2M
Runtime: 1h 44m
Sound Mix: Datasat, SDDS, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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