Why Inside Llewyn Davis is Uplifting, Not Depressing
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- Опубликовано: 6 ноя 2021
- Inside Llewyn Davis is the Coen Brothers film that creates the greatest rift among their fanbase. Some love, others hate it. Love or Hate, this movie is often cited as being extremely depressing, but I tend to disagree.
Inside Llewyn Davis soundtrack is one of my favorites and the movie itself one of my favorite movies, A movie I find to be rather uplifting. And in this video, I use the philosophy of Albert Camus and the Absurd to explain why.
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I think the best way to describe the film is bittersweet. It still gives you some sort of deep feeling yet at the end you are at some aspect uplifted.
I think there’s also something to be said about Llewyn’s final performance of “Dink’s Song”. For me that’s the climax as it represents his acceptance of Mike’s death and his identity, playing a song he could only play with mike before. To me that’s the most optimistic and clear “arc” that Llewelyn achieved, albeit untraditionally
I agree. Was blown away by this film when it came out. There is a great music scene in Wash. DC and many amazing artists quietly dealing with such journies in many different ways. I knew a very gifted person who reminded me very much of the lead in this film This person mused that being a born musican was a "curse" in some ways but if it was your path to take, it felt like there was no other choice.
YES! I'm so glad I read this as I thought the same, that final performance of Dink by Llewyn was him truly expressing all his pent up grief and frustration and the real Artist in himself.
The Cat is Llewyns grief, depression and love for Mike. All of which forces Llewyn into a "wild adventure" that ultimately ends with his farewell song to his career as Bob Dylan takes the stage and Llewyn finally gets a real life lesson in the beating. Note, when he leaves the cat is when we realize the opening scene was the end but this time he sings Fare The Well...the song he and mikey used to sing. Mikey the cat. Also, Mike jumped off the GW bridge and the cat is also named after a president. Llewyn also HATES the Kennedy song but sings about Queen Jane who both died tragically. (The structure of this movie is soooooooo intricate) I highly recommend A Simple Man. Its like the brother movie to ILD.
I recently saw it for the first time. I expected to not like it much; I had heard a few things about it being slow-paced, boring, etc. But I found it to be a wonderful slice of life, and as an amateur musician who has lived, at times, a life of waiting for that next gig, I found it to be poetic in its vision. It was still full of Coenisms. Venal men behind desks, awkward humor out of nowhere, bad guys that foul up the narrative, and somehow...a joy to it all. The music gave weight to the story. The writing, though, made it sail. Nobody does dialogue quite like the Coen Brothers.
I read the book that Inside Llewyn Davis was based on and you can tell where the tone of the movie came from. Dave Van Ronk has such a whimsical way of talking and writing even though he touches on subjects that were the opposite. A sardonic wit to everything, very similar to the Coens in that way. Great video, I've been writing a video essay on The Myth of Sisyphus and Inside Llewyn Davis and you put it into words that I never could hah. Really great stuff, can't wait to see you blow up.
I must a watched it thirty times.... know all the songs..... dreamed about it before it was made when it was mentioned in dispatches.... true to the heart of the isolated individual seeking connection.... one hit can fix you up......thanks for this...
Great video. The overall tone definitely captures that depressing theme but the meaning is one on a positive note
As a wise man once said, "It never ends." This movie captures that perfectly
One of my absolute fave movies ever, that blend of dark depressive tones with beautiful hazy glimmers of delight 👌
Well, there are other clues. But it's done in a way that you have to rewatch it to even notice. In the first scene, it seems like Llewyn is talented folk singer and has an audience, but then everything goes downhill, or it seems because you can't know that following scene is the past and not present. You'll find out in the end, that the first scene was the present, but they don't show you again the same song from the first scene, but another song, which he decides to finally play on his own after Mike's death. So I picked up three uplifting things about this double scene with two different songs. 1) You can't see it in the final scene but in the first scene there are people shown mesmerized by him, forgetting smoking their cigarettes, everyone paying attention. He probably finally made an impact on people. 2) He plays that "Mike's song" which is pretty good, the performance is great, but you don't see people anymore. You can see them only in the first scene which you forget by the end of the movie. But based on what we saw in the first scene, people probably loved it even more than the first song. 3) It's mentioned in the movie that during this night there will be reporter from the Times, if I remember correctly. So, he might have gotten some recognition in papers the next day or so. We basically just saw one winter in his life and everyone assumed that he's gonna end up like starving musician forever. But to me, he will be one of those folk artists who's gonna make records and be able to make music in following decades. So I also don't see it as depressing movie.
The film's music producer T Bone Burnett claimed that he saw the movie as a folk song with disparate verses and the first verse reprising at the end. Maybe he has a point in that folk songs can be both depressing but uplifting. The film is cathartic and it is both depressing and beautiful. Just enjoy the ride.
It’s close to a masterpiece for me but I can see where a lot of folks would not be able to relate to the music or the subject matter. For me I have watched it at least 10 times over the years but I am a musician who relates to that era even though it was before my time.
No matter how hard I tried to explain this to people, they never saw it as anything other than "he's trapped in a cycle of depression". I'd point out the changes to the final scene from the first, importantly Bob Dylan's appearance, but no... they wouldn't listen. Thank you for giving me a well-written video I can send their way to more accurately depict my point.
Extraordinary. Can’t believe I found this channel before it blows up. This is some great work.
Thank you! 🖤
I just loved it. I've had it up to here with movies like Rocket Man that prioritize he adulation of the crowd over the value of self-expression. Inside Llewyn Davis reminded me of what I've seen making music for a living.
Man. I finished the film not an hour ago and was feeling completely hopeless and nihilistic. This brought me back and gave me hope. Thank you.
This video is perfect, just perfect. Keep up the GREAT work!!!
That means a lot!
Llewin doesnt connect with people because he doesn't think he should have to. His music alone should win them. But the movie ends as he beginning to see his error. The trip to Chicago has forced him to see his own selfishness. He tells the girl who has continually berated him that he loves her. Llewin rises from being sucker punched, to watch his assailant leave and he says "au revoir". The Coen brothers wanted us to at least ask the question: Did he do that because he admires the husband who loves and defends his wife? Someday someone should make a lighthearted comedy about the loves, laughs and music of the New York sixties folk scene. But it won't replace "Inside Llewin Davis"
What a brilliant essay. Thank you for sharing this.
Such a great script. Awesome video man! I'm subscribed, please don't stop making videos like this.
I greatly appreciate you! More great content on the way soon!
Love this movie. I'm not a musician but I Love music, especially live music in small, intimate venues. Music has helped me keep my sanity in an Insane World. Inside Llewyn Davis in an odd way reminds me of my own life, now nearing its end. What A Long Strange Trip Its Been.
Really interesting and worthwhile thoughts on a great film; thank you for this.
That was awesome. One of my favorite movies for sure. Love the music, atmosphere, humor and cinematography. Yeaa heyy
hey man here from twitter. lot of insight here. great work
Welcome! Thanks for watching!
Fantastic analysis of a beautifully profound film that I hadn't considered. I would argue that another way to look at it is that Llewyn's stubbornness (or persistence, as you call it) is a double-edged sword that also keeps him from reaching the career success he wants. This is a man who's so obsessed with his own self-image of a struggling and uncompromising artist, that he actually self-sabotages his career on multiple occasions (intentionally or unconsciously) to maintain his internal narrative of an "authentic" folk musician. He forgoes royalties on a song that is later speculated to become a hit, plays perhaps his least commercially appealing song at a job interview he traveled all the way to Chicago for, and turns down an offer to temporarily play in a group that could get him new exposure. His blind dedication to authenticity - that is, age-old folk music that he feels beholden to honoring- is contrasted by Dylan's revolutionary songwriting, which we know will lead to tremendous success. And thus, his obsession with how he thinks a struggling musician should act to maintain that artistic authenticity (as a self-righteous and musical Sisphyus of sorts) is a self-fulfilling prophecy that keeps him in this unending loop of struggle.
"The why that can sustain any how." very well put
I like the movie very much.
The performances are wonderful. Oscar Isaac's talent blows me away.
All the words about it, the effort to make it a canvas on which philosophies are tested, so many words that have nothing to do with life that just is.
This is a great philosophical interpretation of a movie I love that I didn't know I desperately needed.
Admirable essay!
It is a portrait of the Folk music scene in NYC in the 60s. While we remember Bob Dylan, there were hundreds of talented other folkies that are unheard.
It’s the way that Llewyn has all these troubles but aspires to do what he loves even with failures and struggles is what is so intimately felt in this picture. It probably took like 6 times of seeing it to feel it and recognize how great this movie truly is
EXCELLENT Analysis. I hated this movie when I first saw it. Same with A Serious Man. But I have come to respect them both tremendously for a reason you pointed out. The Coen’s are just way too talented for me to reject their work if it makes me uncomfortable. It warrants study and rewards it. I’ve never read Camus before but this dilemma you present of responses to absurdity resonates with me. I’ve always thought LLEWYN is doomed to failure when Bob Dylan appears because he isn’t as talented and will never reach those heights of acceptance. But I like your take that the explosion in popularity that Dylan will bring, and the rising economic tide for folk music may be enough to lift all boats and may just be enough to keep his boat from crashing on the rocks below the surface of life’s absurd roiling waters.
Great review thank you
I've been hearing a lot about 'the hero's journey' lately, and the fallacies inherent in this idea. We may be the 'heroes' of our own journeys, but I tend to side with Camus on this. Life is absurd, and the only way to live it is to recognize this, and keep smiling as you roll that boulder.
I love this movie.Never entered my mind that it was depressing. I knew Van Ronk. He was a HUGE asshole.And a very mean drunk. But the Coens are so funny and Oscar Isaac is such a wonderful actor I could see another angle. I'll call that uplifting.
This film is most definitley not boring, it definitley does not suck, it's a beautifully somber character study and a celebration of a very unique era for folk music and the cost of an artist's integrity. But it's still a bummer hahah, imo. Love this movie
this is my fav film cause like my life it is thx Coens i can tell ppl its my life and my life has a movie
here from IG, now subscribed
Much, much appreciated!
Honestly depends on what type of mood I'm feeling. I've found it so inspiring and also so depressing at times
It's a beautiful movie, everything is just perfect. Coen's last masterpiece.
wonderful video
Ha! First comment.
Thanks for reaching out, I do love this movie
Thank for watching!
Keen insight on a vary good film
thanks
I found my favourite video on the internet lmao
Brilliant movie,Oscar Isaaks embodies a stressed out talented musician who keeps making the same mistakes expecting diffrent results.Its not action but every time I watch it I get drawn in.The Big Lebowski and No Country for Old Men are my fav Coen brothers movies,pretty much all their movies are incredible to watch.
I don't feel depressing watching this movie. I felt I was watching a French film that plenty to be understood only after watching multiple times. It has layers and definitely was not trying to please audience for pleasing sake. On the other hand, I didn't watch it more than once as it didn't give me the warm feeling I often seek if I re-watch a film.... Guess I am shallow for this film.
Thumbs up for Camus!
This movie was an M.C.Escher tableau
I think the film is uplifting when/if you're not struggling with poverty. Really.
It's about the split between responsibilities forced on us (the cat) and goals we set for ourselves (the music). The moment he left that cat behind in the car, Fortuna's wheel turned and he was back at the bottom again. Just like when he left the idea of having a partner behind. Giving up on the cat was just part of a cycle of giving up on responsibilities, which are owed to others, in the pursuit of goals.
Dave Van Ronk was a badass!
This movie is so funny! But I guess most of the audience don't get it...
It's a masterpiece!
I disagree with you but in disagreeing with you I will use what you put together whoch I really think is amazing. The absurdity in Llewyns life is all created by him. In Sisyphus he was destined to do this by a god just because he was a Titan. In Llewyns case he is doomed if he does not change himself. He has 1)impregnated multiple women accidentally to the point he knows the doctor quite personally. This shows that this isnt his first rodeo with the cyclical nature of his life. 2) drives away anyone that cares about him in the slightest. By the end of the movie he has nearly no one who cares about him. Tims parents may forgive him and his own sister may, but his father hates him, his closest friends hate him etc. And he is doomed to repeat that if he doesnt help himself. I mean the end of the movie is literally repentance for him heckling an old woman trying to enjoy the same music he loves but he is too self indulgent that he believes folk should only be sung by the best and he believes himself to be one of the best. Llewyn has embraced the absurdity of life yes, but he has done it in the classical pitfall that many nihilists fall into when they first learn of the philosophy. They think that because nothing has meaning that it doesnt matter what you do but the truth is that because nothing has meaning everything you do matters. You create your own meaning in the void, but that should include realizing that your social interactions matter too. Humans ate inherently social creatures and Llewyn has embraced depression and nihilism by burning every bridge with every person he ever knew as if saying it doesnt matter anyway. And the end of the movie, instead of rebuilding those bridges, instead of making something of himself, he throws himseof at the absurd again by indulging only himself and singing on stage again. Alone, and with no one to back him up anymore, he walks on to the stage and self indulges in his own "greatness" that no one else can seem to see. While all of his friends and "colleagues" are making something of themselves he sees their ways as selling out and living sad lives when he is truly living the sad life. Bob Dylan being at the end adds to that because he ended up taking the spotlight away from a lot of folk, and many folk artists hated him for selling out and not doing folk the right way yet there Bob Dylan went being the most succesful folk artist ever. I think Llewyns self indulgence mirrors that of the 60s folk scene as a whole, and the greenwich scene ended up dying shortly after Dylan arrived. Only to cement all of this, after self indulging on stage one last time, one of his mistakes from his nihilistic, depressed way of acting comes literally to knock him tf out, and thats where we started too. There is no growth in the end. Llewyn decides not to see his son but self indulge, Llewyn decides not to persue the merchant marines harder (because of red tape but truly he could have easily made it around that tape within a few days) because of self indulgence, llewyn decides to not take royalties on the only popular song he has made in years because his self indulgence tells him it is pure trash. The man is doomed to fail and repeat his own mistakes over and over again until he somehow learns his lesson.
It’s the blues. Sad ironic sympathy.
I love how a bit of Jordan Peterson seems to have rubbed off on you; a "why" to justify any "how" type of thing. I'm glad this movie turned out to be deeper than what I originally thought of as a bunch of quirky scenes cobbled together that not only don't advance any plot; but set you right back where you started. Thanks for having at least partially solved the riddle for me and everyone...
Ew