Inside Llewyn Davis: Four Reasons to Watch It Again

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Here are four reasons to give Inside Llewyn Davis another viewing.
This video is for the purpose of academic study only and should not be reproduced elsewhere. Feel free to watch, comment, and share. Items knowingly not covered in the essay are below:
Four things missed:
*Llewyn IS the cat. (covered in numerous places online thoroughly)
*The meaning of red & green within the production design. (Tried to keep the essay under 10 minutes. Ran out of space)
*Composition & Framing (Great stuff here, but I opted for a section on Oscar Isaac while concentrating on Delbonnel's lighting)
*Who is Roland Turner? (This could be an entire essay in itself. Depending on whether or not you view Llewyn as dead or alive, Roland's position changes thoroughly. For now.. Let's leave it at "Gas Bag")
Credit for video and audio sequences belongs to:
StudioCanal
Working Title Films
Polygram Filmed Entertainment
Circle Films
Paramount Vantage
Miramax
Touchstone Pictures
Universal Pictures
JMR: / @jmr2348
ScreenSlam: / screenslam
Significant credit should also go to:
Collider
Rolling Stone
The New York Times
The Guardian
The New Yorker
New Statesman
Flikfilosopher
IMDB
Rotten Tomatoes
A sincere thank you goes to Caroline Simonson for being the first to discover the "Reaper" as well as the Fairview Film Club for challenging and provocative discussions.
Thanks for watching! Like, comment, share, & subscribe. It helps make more videos.

[@simonboccanegra3811]

A wounding, beautiful film. Its reputation will only rise with the years. The Coen brothers can be counted on for at least one masterpiece per decade (arguably more than one), and this is looking like the one for the troubled '10s. Bereavement and self-sabotage, surviving and screwing up, paths not taken and ominous signs of paths that may yet be taken (Roland is a worst-case scenario for an older Llewyn, in a different genre). And oh, the loaded lines. "You're not green," says Grossman. On the surface it's the closest thing to a compliment he delivers in the scene. It means Llewyn knows what he's doing; he's not an amateur. But then the other level sinks in, for Llewyn and for us. When you're not green, you may be as good as you're going to get.

[@epheusikay]

Anywhere else I'll be called a loser for this but I have seen this film maybe 3 dozen times. A road trip movie with broken up segments featuring a stellar cast all telling their own story in their own way with Llewyn and his guitar in the center of it all. Some of the scenes i play over and over again because it gives me comfort (John Goodman segment in the car and diner). It's like a friend who knows exactly what to say to me when i'm feeling alittle lonely or sad. The words that come out of the characters aren't necessarily happy or uplifting but that's what i love about the film. it's the vibe, the way llewyn's environment keeps changing and it's awful at times but after everything, there's still llewyn and his guitar. idk.. i'm just saying... love the film too.

[@KMHill]

My favourite Coen brothers movie!

[@LPdedicated]

This is my favorite movie of all time, and for a good reason: Every time I watch it I notice more details, and learn more about it because in the meantime, I've learned more about myself. It's a masterpiece!

[@lindahoyt5690]

Thank you! I still can't figure out why this wasn't more well received. I am still replaying it on Prime and it is just such a beautiful movie.

[@MrHunterd81]

I agree. It's definitely one my favorite Coen films and no one I know has seen it, let alone even heard of it. It's such an amazing movie. I seen it at least 20 times.

[@coryCuc]

Totally agree with you 10000000%!

[@jimw.4161]

Brilliant movie on so many levels: music, cinematography, characterization, dialogue, lighting, and story. Captures the NY folk scene era to perfection. Genius!

[@CMontgomeryBurns09]

That sequence where Llewyn hits the cat and the latter is limping while barely visible at the edge of the frame... is one of the saddest I can recall in modern film.

[@mikeposton247]

True however, no animal should ever be hurt during the making of A film.

[@jafafa]

@@mikeposton247 They didn't actually injure an animal to do that scene.

[@rileyscherer129]

Mike Poston they didn't actually run over the cat

[@BuckyNugget]

Purgatory. That's such a great word to describe Coen bros. movies.

[@richardsantanna5398]

"He enlists a steam kettle approach to suppressing the emotion that boils beneath his skin" Perfect way to describe Oscar Issac's performance in this film.

[@carloh-nw9vz]

Seen this movie about Ten times this year alone, but well... I think I have no choice. Here we go again.

[@dylanalbuquerque4854]

Definitely an underrated film from their catalogue, especially due to all the classic folk songs in it

[@LeonDeLaMole]

I just rewatched this on Amazon. Llewyn’s struggles can really get to ya as the soundtrack keeps getting better. I saw extra meaning in The Death of Queen Jane lyrics. Almost as though Llewyn can’t extract commercial value from his music without sacrificing its real art, as Jane’s baby can’t be removed without killing her. Something like that.

[@waz3128]

Its slow pace, mood and understatedness is why I think I like it more than any other Coen Brothers movie, Then again it could be my fascination with the 1960s NYC folk scene. Its what I believe On The Road tried to do but failed miserably at, which is testament to how good the Coen brothers are

[@bestclips6335]

This movie touched something really deep in my heart.

[@geoff1025]

Hands down my favourite movie. First movie I have ever owned and I watch it probably once a month

[@mikeposton247]

I felt sorry for the lead character when he's trying to get the record deal royalties. And then He had to go back into the merchant Marines just to survive.

[@janvanhouwelingen4721]

Great analysis. I love it. If I may add something to your part about the fight with mr. Hobby. I agree that it could be death, Llewyn is fighting. Although, in my eyes, after the firs viewing, I thought it was God. The Coen Brothers sometimes tend to get a little bit Biblical in their use of symbolism. Think about the big Lebowski. There is a story in the Bible where Jacob is to afraid to face his brother again. He stops his journey and he waits. At night an unknown stranger comes to Jacob and starts a fight with him. They fight till the morning. Then the stranger reveals his identity to Jacob. He is God. God gives Jacob a new name and a new blessing. From then on out Jacob is called Israel. The next morning he meets his brother again for the first time in years. This story was the first thing that popped into my mind after watching the ending of Inside Llewyn Davis. Llewyn is stuck, can't continue his journey becaus he's basically to afraid to face (the passing of) his brother. That's why he's actually dragging the cat with him the whole time. The cat is a symbol of his grieving. But at the end he won't let the cat escape, the cat stays where she is. He leaves it. Llewyn fights the stranger and after that he seems to have a new blessing, a new power inside him to continue his journey. As he, almost tenderly, says: "Au revoir!".

[@janvanhouwelingen4721]

Well I think that both Llewyn and Jacob lost a brother in a very different way. Jacob had to face his estranged brother whom he had a big fight with when he last saw him. And Llewyn had to deal with the suicide of his musical partner, Mike. Two really different situations but both dealing with the losing of a brotherfigure, I think. Both not daring to face their brother. Jacob not travelling any further. Llewyn just continueing as if nothing happens, but without any joy whatsoever. I don't know if that's the intention of the Coen Brothers. It's just a parallel I saw when I thought about the whole "fighting with a mysterious stranger situation". Sorry for my bad English btw. It's my second language.

[@grayforester]

@@janvanhouwelingen4721 Mike Timlin could easily have been driven to despair by his musical partner's harsh judgment and sharp tongue - and wouldn't that be a burden of guilt to survive with? Llewyn's dark view of everything surely poisoned his many relationships, and photos of Mike present a sweet, vulnerable face.

[@kevinbaptista3941]

Great breakdown. Just watched this for the 1st time and i cant stop thinking about it.

[@kirstenaudreidejesus4115]

This video was great. I honestly thought this was from a channel like Lessons from the screenplay but I'm pleasantly surprised that it's not and is simply just a work of passion. Hope you come back and make more film analysis on KZbin.

[@nedbilow9519]

This was great, thanks for uploading! Keep em coming!

[@melcraig9855]

I just discovered this movie (shame on me, I was missing out big time)!! I’ve already watched it 3 times!! It’s so brilliant, Oscar Isaac is brilliant. Thank you for this video ❤️

[@baylencastle]

watched it earlier today and was honesty looking for a reason to watch it again thank you (I haven't even watched the video yet the title says enough)

[@WorldOneVideo]

Some very on point observations here. Well done.

[@wacaree3200]

Love this movie. I’ve watched it for many times, it touched me a lot.

[@TheRealDarrylStrawberry]

Llewyn noticed Dylan at the end...but he walked out to chase "a suit"...He sold out. The real sad ending is that Jean slept with Poppy to get him that gig, Poppy most certainly paid him, and he went out on the "sardine can" and missed out on the folk boom. And then he came back...(thats the real tragedy)

[@JAMAICADOCK]

Like a sadder, more subtle Barton Fink. The art vs commerce theme once again, with eerie absurd undercurrents curtesy of John Goodman. Just as Barton Fink strikes the pose of the hard boiled writer booking himself into a downbeat, sleazy hotel; Llewyn lives the romantic life of the beatnik poet. But like Barton, his pretentions are cruelly parodied, as reality refuses to comply with his romanticism. Hence, Llewyn's On the Road style odyssey to Chicago, turns into a grim road to nowhere. Likewise his attempt to work on a fishing boat, a day-job fit for a Beatnik poet - turns into a bureaucratic farce. Suggesting Romanticism is really just an artistic device, and has no connection with odd, surreal, vulgar reality. And like Barton Fink, he's self obsessed and doesn't care about people. Which is a major flaw for an artist, given art is ultimately about connecting with people. Llewyn, like Barton, doesn't connect with people. The 'people's only role to shut up and listen. I also like F Murray Abraham's turn. Abraham's most famous role being the envious musical mediocrity - Salieri, who sets out to destroy Amadeus. You get the sense that Abraham knows Llewyn has got talent, but maybe he's jealous of him, hence his unnecessary cruelty. Perhaps he himself is a failed musician.

[@MrOreo2010]

It's difficult to rewatch a lot because it is just so depressing. Like One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest - great movie, but I cannot bring myself to enjoy it that frequently, I have to be in the right mood.

[@kareneastman9695]

That cat is so wonderful.🙂AAAWWww!!!So very adorable.😀😀😀😊

[@rick777888]

The most perfect movie I've ever seen...

[@anthonyscully2093]

sad and funny. by the end he realises that his dream won,t come true

[@1qwasz12]

The Man Who Wasn't There is a masterpiece.

[@itsStanichIII]

Very much enjoyed your insight. Hope more is on the way!

[@marsimus13]

Bob Dylan is my favourite artist to ever exist and I like the few songs Oscar Isaac performs in this movie more than any of Bob Dylan's work... once again wishing Llewyn Davis was a real person so that I could hear more of his music

[@chrisraybruce7185]

Well I mean you can listen to Dave Van Ronk, it's the artist Llewyn was based on

[@marsimus13]

@@chrisraybruce7185 yeah i know i love dave van ronk! but it’s not the same

[@chrisraybruce7185]

@@marsimus13 yeah I get what you mean. I guess that's what makes Oscar Isaacs performance so genuine and fantastic to make us feel like it was more than a character.

[@kareneastman9695]

I will get the Inside Llewyn Davis dvd soon.🙂😀

[@shizzy35]

Beautiful film.

[@aaronisacomedian]

Possibly my favorite film ever.

[@shondra6]

I love this film

[@ruly8153]

The whole death is the guy in the alley is really cool Well spotted 👍great video

[@-XTD-]

Love this video so much

[@aaroncampbell8265]

This is fantastic

[@Dudvaani]

Thank you for the video. Just watched the movie.

[@neon-su2sr]

This movie is not available not even at netflix ! where did you watch it

[@jayj6406]

I was born to play that role. It should've been me.

[@mrtriffid]

So NOBODY sees the similarity between Dylan and the Davis character?!?!? They even sing songs of similar intent in the penultimate scene of the movie! Could it be that even if you do everything just right, follow all your advice, and TRY REAL HARD, 'success' may, NEVERTHELESS, still elude you?!?!?

[@TheRealDarrylStrawberry]

The Cat is Mike. point blank period.

[@HomerSimpson2121]

In regards to your comment about him hating on other singers I think its him hating himself and so he hates other people trying to do the same thing. He can't give credit to other good singers because he doesn't see himself that way and he's insecure

[@bojackhorseman3224]

Great video

[@smartyjonez5470]

Terrific analysis. I still prefer a serious man and Fargo over this move and no country , but all of them are great Larry Gopnik is fascinating in a similar way to Llewyn Davis. Gopnik seems to be more of a victim of circumstance while Llewyn is an not a victim of circumstance as much as he simply is just an asshole. Perhaps one day you can do an analysis with your class comparing and contrasting the two. But anyways, thanks for the great video

[@smartyjonez7238]

No. You missed the point

[@romanxxxxyoutube]

It wasn't the grim reaper it was an owl

[@lucienfrank5119]

Definitely /skull/grim reaper but also an owl. What is the symbolism behind it being an owl? Is there any or is it just a way to hide the reaper?

[@windowcontrol2874]

Possibly another "Schroedinger's Cat" type reference to the idea Llewyn is simultaneously alive and dead (like folks songs which are never new but never get old). Also, I found this in a review about the film. The last line includes the word "wise" which made me think of the owl image: "The theme of contrasting odysseys might have been inspired by the name of real-life club The Gate of Horn. According to Penelope in Homer’s Odyssey, “For two are the gates of shadowy dreams, and one is fashioned of horn and one of ivory. Those dreams that pass through the gate of sawn ivory deceive men, bringing words that find no fulfilment. But those that come forth through the gate of polished horn bring true issues to pass, when any mortal sees them.” Llewyn is turned back from the Gate of Horn and stuck with the fruitless illusions of the Gate of Ivory. Another line from that passage in Homer makes for a nice comment on this fabulous, complex, divisive movie: “Stranger, dreams verily are baffling and unclear of meaning, and in no wise do they find fulfilment in all things for men.”

[@MrDukeSilverr]

Dylan's song is called Farewell, not Fare Thee Well haha

[@lukelyons7255]

Fare Thee Well/ Dink's Song =/= Farewell/ Leaving Of Liverpool

[@azariah_kyras]

What happened to this channel?

[@oshun459]

It's not the grim reaper, it's an owl lol