MovieChat Forums > Inside Llewyn Davis (2014) Discussion > Please enlighten me...

Please enlighten me...

posted 11 years ago by Humlon
12 replies | jump to latest

What makes this movie good? There are no interesting characters, all of the songs were a bore and the plot goes nowhere. There is probably some deeper philosophical meaning to all of this nothingness but I just don't see it. Yeah I get that the world is hard and hard work can lead to nothing. Was the cat Llewyn Davis? Was John Goodman the devil? I really liked the bleak cinematography but thats not enough to make a movie good. Maybe you need to care for folk music to like this one? I get that the scene when he walked in snow and later in a coffeshop got a wet shoe and that line about being tired are pretty darn amazing scenes. But man. I need better characters and plot like we get from all other great Coen brother films.

[–] nystulc 11 years ago

> What makes this movie good?

Not sure. Personally, I kinda enjoyed it, as I often do with Coen bros. movies.

> There are no interesting characters, [...]

All I can say is that I found them interesting enough to enjoy the film.

> all of the songs were a bore

Well, obviously some people do like that kind of music. I'm not a huge fan myself, but I still liked the movie.

> and the plot goes nowhere. There is probably some deeper philosophical
> meaning to all of this nothingness but I just don't see it.

Well, on the most basic level, it is simply about an a-hole who keeps on getting his butt kicked BECAUSE he is an a-hole, and will keep on getting his butt kicked until he mends his ways, which he may never do. So, at least, it offers us the satisfaction of seeing an a-hole get his butt kicked. Meanwhile, the fact that the film also seems to suggest the possibility of redemption, prevents the exercise from seeming too mean-spirited.

> Yeah I get that the world is hard and hard work can lead to nothing.

This is true, of course, just as it is true that New York can be cold in winter, and you can cite the film as an example, but I don't really think its what the film is about.

> Was the cat Llewyn Davis?

Well ... one could draw a metaphorical analogy, in that the cat is a lost soul who may or may not find its way home.

> Was John Goodman the devil?

Definitely not. Wrong movie. John Goodman's character is simply another Llewyn Davis.

[–] Humlon 11 years ago

Thanks for that lovely reply. I still didn't enjoy the movie, it was definately not made for me. I just wanted Llewyn Davis to join his dead friend and jump off a bridge, *beep* prick. I was so happy when John Goodman finaly came and treated him as he deserved to be treated.
Another thing that bothered me was that the characters (especially Llewyn Davis) looked so sleepy all the time. It made it harder for me to keep my eyes open.

[–] ossyguy 11 years ago

yeah humlon i must say that after about 10 watchings i am of the opinion that all you say is true...the wanting to die, the lack of sleep, the a hole...all of it..
It's kind of funny and unexplored territory and I love it....

I don't see a lot of money here...

[–] MrsPAK 10 years ago

I don't see how this is a great movie either. I wish I could unsee it.

[–] usernumber655321 10 years ago

All of the characters are truly fascinating, all of the songs are terrific, and the plot is circular.

There ya go.

[–] circe-13 9 years ago

All subjective. I enjoyed the music, was iffy on most of the characters (especially loathed Jean), and thought the plot was lacking. I usually love Coen Brothers flicks too.

I did notice that a lot of people who seemed to like this one hated Raising Arizona, The Lady Killers and True Grit...three that I happen to love (among many other Coen films).

I really wanted to like this but it fell short of the mark for me. I had trouble staying interested in it to the point that finishing it was a little bit of a chore. I kept expecting more, and maybe that was the whole point. Regardless, I am not a fan. I was amused to see both Poe Dameron and Kylo Ren together though. Hur hur hur.

[–] jgroub 10 years ago

I agree 100%, Humlon. That movie blew some great big donkey dick. Nothing about it that I enjoyed. Story went nowhere. I couldn't give a sh!t about the main character. And that Jean - she was no great shakes either, plus she wasn't even all that where the club owner had to f@ck her.

My basic reaction to this whole movie is, "Who gives a sh!t?"

I want the doctor to take your picture so I can look at you from inside as well.

[–] chicago85 10 years ago

The club owner's mouth was no prayer book. He may have been just blowing smoke like a lot of jerk offs.

I don't know everything. Neither does anyone else

[–] Don_Cheech 10 years ago

I get that the scene when he walked in snow and later in a coffeshop got a wet shoe and that line about being tired are pretty darn amazing scenes

You lost me here. What do you mean, "You get that.."? What correlation is there between Lleywn walking in the show and pissing himself in the coffee shop?

He pissed himself at the counter because he wanted to keep getting free coffee. Once you get up... youre done. Thats why he had to pay when he got back from the payphone. In other words, hes broke. Wants to get as much coffee as he can.

as for the walking in the snow part, i think its main purpose was to show that he was having a hardtime with the winter weather. He didnt even have a decent coat. struggling musician theme.

[–] 10 years ago

[deleted]

[–] witchydonna 9 years ago

Well, it's an odd film to be sure (and I say film and not movie here for a reason). This is a film that seeks to make one FEEL something rather than tell a story about something. You can hate Llewyn or you can empathize with him, or maybe a little bit of both, Llewyn is like most of us, basically decent, but also flawed and a bit of a dick at times. This is what confounds people I think, this is not a typical American film, although it is a film about a certain time in America in many ways. It's difficult to watch at times because of this, it's not a 'comfortable' film.

[–] treeroped 9 years ago

you have to decipher them. that is half the fun.

the other half is a combination of humor which can be dark,ironic,slapstick,shocking,wordplay or otherwise, interesting characters, historical episodes, cultural observations, authentic music, cinematography, recurring themes and allegories from other movies,acting, drama, and some other stuff i cant think of off hand.

alot of this stuff won't be found in many of the movies that dominate now.

most of the interpretation on this board especially the meaning of the cat is incorrect and will not help you enjoy the movie. there is some very good analysis on this board if you hunt around a bit.

hint. the cat is not llewyn. llewyn is not an *beep* although he does a couple *beep* things, if you figure out the plot most of the dickish things is just him defending himself.