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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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Noah Gittell

Washington City Paper

It’s an astute portrayal of the challenges of climbing the economic ladder in any industry.

Apr 21, 2025

Full Review

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

Full Review

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

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Faiz D

I know nothing about the folk music scene in early 1960s New York, yet I found this film engaging, funny, and moving.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

05/13/25

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Jarvis E

The Coens have done it again

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/01/25

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David M

It's taken me a long time to get to this entry in the Coens' catlogue, but I really enjoyed it. Criticisms of formlessness seem empty to me - the story of a week in the life of a struggling folk singer in 1960s New York, desperate to stay afloat financially, professionally, and socially is charming, melancholy and laced with wry humour. Oscar Isaac's central performance is excellent, and his singing is really something. The film has a laid back lyricism that beguiles and worms its way into the viewer's consciousness. Like many in the directors' canon, it should repay repeated revisits. Not their best - but well up there.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/01/25

Full Review

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

Full Review

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

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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: Anton Capital Entertainment, StudioCanal, Scott Rudin Productions, Mike Zoss 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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