This is the perfect choice for those seeking a disheartening portrayal of the American dream, without

an ounce of sugarcoating. The loop-like plot is non-traditional in the sense that there's no main
conflict with scenes that move toward a resolution, rather everything that happens is meant to give
us a window to peep “inside Llewyn Davis” ‘s life which is of an unforgiving nature the main character
has chosen for himself.

He (played by Oscar Issac) is a couch-surfing folk singer of unquestionable talent struggling to make
money in New York's Greenwich Village in the winter of 1961. Plagued by a number of mistakes in
his work and personal life and followed by the shadow of his stint as one half of a folk duo, Llewyn
impatiently pursues his big break despite the lousy circumstances. The sad truth of this story is that
anyone who's looking to involve themselves in the entertainment industry, specifically, for quality is
oftentimes disregarded as the majority of the public are drawn to simpler and more crowd-pleasing
material.

The film deliberately goes “nowhere”, mirroring Llewyn Davis' rocky path in life. It's cinematic, but it
feels true to life. That rich atmosphere feels like an eternal winter. It is set in the sixties; however, it
has a timeless touch that enables it to readily fit into any decade. Oscar Isaac is excellent in the title
role, he carries the whole film and does a brilliant job of doing so.
In my opinion, the film struggles with pacing a little bit, especially as its third act seems to linger
rather than payoff, but the whole film is surprisingly entertaining and quietly poignant in moments
that cut to Llewyn's core. Very few filmmakers are able to squeeze so much out of what might seem
so simple, but the Coens are the masters.