Saturday, January 11, 2014

Inside Llewyn Davis: Movie Review


Given my previous experiences with films by Joel and Ethan Coen (True Grit, The Big Lebowski) each new film usually falls within a specific category. On one hand you are given movies where the protagonist of the film is put the extreme amounts of adversity, usually resulting in a more gloomy film (A Serious Man). On the other, twisted comedies about unusual situations with likeable man characters (O Brother Where Art Thou, The Big Lebowski). While there are Coen Brother films I have yet to see that garner much praise, the one's I have seen are on either side of the spectrum. Then you are given a film like Inside Llewyn Davis, which teeters amongst both spectrums resulting in an well crafted enjoyable film, that you can't always pinpoint why you feel this way.

Inside Llewyn Davis lacks much of a plot, while sticking to more of a "day in the life of" story. This story follows a folk singer in 1961 named Llewyn Davis (Oscar Isaac), who isn't typically a guy to root for. He is a self absorbed asshole, who believe that he is the undeniable talent in folk music that isn't getting the recognition he deserves. He travels from couch to couch between the only few people that he can consider a friend. These "friends" consist of a young couple (Justin Timberlake and Carey Mulligan) who the latter has a rocky past with our protagonist. The other is an older couple who are enamored with Llewyn's smooth folk songs and voice. Unfortunately for Llewyn, his attitude towards people and his career has affected the way he is perceived. While once part of a popular duo act, his solo career has left much to desire. Leaving Llewyn as a dead beat bitter has been who is forced into a slew of adversity.

As the story plays out, you never really know what to think. Like some other great films, you just have to trust the story knows where it is going. With the Coen Brothers at the helm, the film comes together in time to make it worth seeing. It took me a while to collect my thoughts about the film and understand what everything means. Early in the film, Llewyn is forced to have a feline company accompany him throughout his journey. Being used as a adorable plot device, the feline to me was just an extension of Llewyn himself. What plays out in Llewyn's life, happens in various ways to his feline friend. While Llewyn never knows the cat's name, he himself struggles with his own identity. The constant struggle for Llewyn to have his name known and the his struggle to remember the cats name are one in the same. There is also some really clever dialogue to allude to this idea, and one interesting visual shot. The side characters are never given much to do because the story covers a small period of time. This gives talented people such as Carey Mulligan and Garrett Hedlund (Tron Legacy) little time to shine in their supportive roles. However, John Goodman gives a very funny and worthwhile performance that while limited will stick in your mind. The movie to me was clearly a coming out party for actor Oscar Isaac who shows impressive range both vocally and as an actor on screen. I expect his career to widen very soon because his presence on screen. He makes Llewyn Davis one of the most likeable assholes to hit the screen this year. His music talents make the musical scenes very powerful, and give the film some much needed heft and heart. The best of his musical numbers is a group song called Please Mr. Kennedy, which also feature pop star turned solid actor Justin Timberlake. Which is sure to get a best original song nomination this upcoming week.

The film had its slow moments, and despite John Goodman's fun character the film almost stops moving at his portion of the film. Luckily, a couple music numbers pick up the pace at the right time before to much damage is done. There comedic moments were also hit and miss for me, in particular attempts at witty humor. In the end my lack of knowledge of folk music or indifference to music in general may weaken my understanding of the film as a whole. In particular the final moments of the film and how Llewyn's style of music changes making him obsolete yet a better man. As far as the thematic elements, I felt my understanding of the film was rather strong. The story about a scum of a man realizing his destiny and getting a harsh bite of reality sat well with me, making the film well worth the price of admission despite the films shortcomings. 

Verdict 4 out of 5         

Her: Movie Review


To some my praise for this film may sound as odd as a mans love for an operating system. For others, it may sound eerily similar to the way they felt about this Spike Jonze (Being John Malkovich) film. That is not to say that my feeling are fact, and any others are immediately negated. All film is subjective, and the main romance between Theodore (Joaquin Phoenix) and an operating system (voiced by Scarlett Johansson) will garner diverse opinions amongst moviegoers. For me however, Her is a touching and unique romance film, one that is confident and dedicated to its bizarre story. So dedicated that by the end of the film, your views on love may change all together.

From a film making standpoint, Her is well crafted and paced story. While Spike Jonze is known for being a little out their, he always stands by his the story. I felt that Jonze believed in this bizarre love story, even when its unconventional for many. This and the strong performances by the cast make for a movie that is truly enjoyable to watch. Yes, there is two awkward scenes that many people will wish didn't make the final cut, but both scenes hold meaning to the overarching theme. Phoenix's turn as Theodore is subtle and normal, which is high praise for an actor who has made his name playing psychopaths. He makes Theodore feel like a normal person who is struggling with relatable issues every day. Scarlett Johansson may turn in the best performance of her career using nothing but her voice, which is by no means an insult. Her soothing tone and infections laugh makes Samantha (The IOS operating system) seem like a worth candidate for Theodore to fall in love with.

While it's outer shell reveals a film that deals with societies love and need for technology, I believe that is the conventional way of perceiving the story. An unconventional story needs unconventional thinking. What affected me was the way in which love was presented throughout the film. I left the theater believing that love is possible in many forms. Love isn't necessarily a physical connection, It stems from the mental, emotional and unknown parts of our self. While you can't explain exactly how you are feeling, you don't need to. At no point did I feel Theodore had to explain why he was in love with Samantha, nor did I want him to. When asked, Theodore stumbles upon his words, saying things like "I don't know, everything". Which is exactly how I feel love is.  Love is between those two, and for me to disagree or deny that from them wouldn't feel right. I felt it in the way Theodore talked to Samantha and vice versa, they had something there that was more than just programming. Which can be attested to a good script and good performances. I was glad to see some of the characters accepting of the situation, because they knew how great it felt to have someone, and they wanted their friend Theodore to feel the same. It was genius the way the film gave an opportunity for you to see every possible viewpoint on the situation. You had people accepting of the idea, others against it and some indifferent. unfortunately, this is what makes Her a work of fiction and in some ways fantasy. The idea of a man in love with an operating system wouldn't be accepted in the world we live in. Even if it would result in undeniable happiness for the human party in the relationship. While the dialogue of the film never force fed this information to me (thankfully), It's what I took out of this particular movie. Even if to some I am way off base, like love it doesn't matter it is the way I feel.

Along with that you are given the question of is Samantha's love real, being a program that evolves and is manufactured to get along perfectly with Theodore. Even when Samantha begins to evolve past her programming, is the emotions that Samantha can't explain a love that resonates within the real world? I believe it does and Spike Jonze makes me believe that. It was a wonderful film, and my favorite movie of 2013.

Verdict 5 out of 5