That Melancholy Folk－Bluffing kfooz

It's a depressing story about a struggling musician.

Inside Llewyn Davis (2013)

Directed by: Joel Coen, Ethan Coen

Written by: Joel Coen, Ethan Coen

Starring: Oscar Issac, Carey Mulligan, Justin Timberlake, John Goodman, Garrett Hedlund

This is my another favourite from this year's HKIFF.

The movie opens with a singing scene by Llewyn Davis, played by Oscar Issac. This scene will make you fall in love with Llewyn Davis instantly. He has an amazing voice. He's charming on stage. He seems to be a man with stories. But then very soon, you will find out he's a loser. He had no place to sleep. He lost his freinds' cat. He doesn't good at anything besides singing. He tried to make a way out, but in the end, he's lost and stuck into a loop. It's sad and depressing.

The Coen Brothers decided to show the singer's personality and talents by letting the lyrics speaks. The singing scene are powerful. They bring in some lightness to the story by adding some comic relief and a lovely cat. Some said Llewyn Davis is like the cat. trying to make a way out, get lost, then had to return back. Llewyn Davis may not be a loveable character, but somehow, you would be rroting for him.

The cinematography of the film is beautiful. Bruno Delbonnel did an outstanding job. It's nostalgic. It's moody. It goes so well with the music.

The soundtrack of the film alone is brilliant. I am not a fan of folk but I love the songs. Oscar Issac has a beautiful voive. Carey Mulligan displayed her sweet voice again after Shame. Justin Timberlake sings well, but he played an annoying character yet again... Marcus Mumford, the lead singer of Mumford and Sons and husband of Carey Mulligan, sings with Oscar Issac in "Fare Thee Well" as the voice of Davis's deceased music partner. He is also the association music director.

Here's the clip of the opening scene. The song's called "Hang me, Oh Hang Me". And yes, all the performances are live. Take that, Tom Hooper.