Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Inside Llewyn Daivs


I've been chomping at the bit to see Inside Llewyn Davis. I'd seen the trailer or trailers several times. I'd read a few reviews and I'd read about the real life person the film is loosely based on - Dave Van Ronk (who, btw, sounds like really interesting and talented person). The times they are a changing.


It's February 1961 (my birth date-ish) in Greenwich Village and folk singers grow on trees. Bobby D hasn't hit the scene yet, but that is blowing in the wind (can't help it). The film follows a week of Llewyn's life or lack there of as he floats from couch to couch and cat to cat. Llewyn has a problem; he's quite talented, his partner committed suicide and he doesn't really like people. The only things Llewyn seems to care about are animals and making a quick  buck.


The amazing cinematography work of Bruno Delbonnel (he paints with the camera) makes the film look like it was actually shot in New York in 1961. The oh so narrow hallways and gritty alleyways gives you a sense of what it must've been like to live in cheaper digs. There's also the sense of movement with the numerous subway shots of the passing station numbers and the mind numbing trip to Chicago on the pre-interstate two-lane highway. This is the sort of film I like; there's no plot twist, no awakening moment, no happy ending. Bravo!

1 comment:

Cindy D. said...

I kept hearing bits on the radio about this film over the past month or so. I'd like to see it and you make it sound so great! But I'm in painting mode and not watching many films. Ugh, need more time for things!

Thank you so much for all your nice comments at my place!