Inside Llewyn Davis - A-

Rated R, 105 minutes

Moody, funny "Inside Llewyn Davis" one of Coen Bros best

Oscar Isaac

The Coen brothers new film "Inside Llewyn Davis" is one of the year's best films, an masterful, moody and darkly funny look at the early 1960's New York City folks scene. The film follows a week in the life of young aspiring folk singer Llewyn Davis (the wonderful Oscar Isaac in a breakout performance) as he navigates the Greenwich Village folk scene of 1961. Guitar in tow and huddled against the unforgiving New York winter, Llewyn struggling as a musician against seemingly insurmountable obstacles-some of them of his own making. Loosely plotted, superbly acted and featuring some lively folk tunes, some old and some new from the Coen's and T. Bone Burnett (my favorite, which is already garnering accolades, sung by Isaac, Justin Timberlake and "Girls" Adam Driver is the peppy, short "Please Mr. Kennedy") which memorably highlight the film. Directed, written, edited and produced by the Coen's, it's one of their most insightful, masterful and affecting films of recent memory, with a standout performance from Guatemalan-born actor and singer Isaac, seen in last year's "Won't Back Down." With Timberlake, Driver, along with Carey Mulligan, John Goodman and a cat named Ulysses all in small roles, Isaac is well-supported in a film that's darker than it appears on the surface, though its grayness and darker shadings ultimately becomes part of its appeal. The moody "Inside Llewyn Davis," loosely inspired by the music of real NYC-based folks singers Dave Van Ronk and Ramblin' Jack Elliot, it's a superbly crafted film with a sheen of engaging pecularity and oddness that the Coen's do best, and it's a must-see film that's certain to win some awards.

Wes's Grade: A-