A highly regarded film from 2013 whose fans passionately defend it as both underrated and unmissable is coming to Netflix in the UK in days.
Providing a major breakthrough role for its leading man Oscar Isaac, the period black comedy drama came from the minds of movie master brothers Joel and Ethan Coen.
Between them, the Coen Brothers have amassed a staggering 16 Academy Award nominations (and four wins) for films including Fargo, No Country for Old Men and True Grit.
But it’s Inside Llewyn Davis that will be available to Netflix subscribers in the UK very soon.
It will be added to the streaming service in just over a week on October 1, alongside 2014 apocalyptic horror film The Remaining.
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Set in 1961, Inside Llewyn Davis follows one week in the life of the titular struggling singer-songwriter (played by Frankenstein and In the Hand of Dante star Isaac) in New York City’s Greenwich Village, who is chasing success while penniless and sleeping on his friend’s sofas.
Referencing real-life New York locations, including the famed Gaslight Café, the film is loosely based on folk singer Dave Van Ronk’s autobiography – and thrilled fans with a nod to Bob Dylan as well.
Its stacked cast also includes Carey Mulligan, John Goodman, Justin Timberlake, Garrett Hedlund, Adam Driver and F Murray Abraham, as well as the three ginger mogs who played Ulysses the cat.
Inside Llewyn Davies claimed the Grand Prix at Cannes Film Festival on its debut in May 2013, and nabbed multiple award nominations including two Oscar nods and three from the Golden Globes.
It has since also featured in many lists recognising the best film of the 21st century by the likes of the BBC, the New York Times and Rolling Stone.
‘Watching it over and over through the years, I’m convinced it’s the best film by the Coen Brothers and one of the greatest of the 21st century,’ agreed Ali Zare in a five-star Google review.
‘One of the most underappreciated movies ever made. A Coen bros gem and Oscar Isaac absolutely nails his performance. It’s one of the best stories ever told, imo,’ chimed in Chris, while Joshua McVey shared: ‘I’m a brothers fan, true nerd for the Coen. I think this film was underrated, and could be one of my faves of theirs to date.’
‘The best movie of the past decade. Those that hate this movie do so intentionally and not genuinely,’ insisted Riixu PvP.
Inside Llewyn Dabis was also praised on Rotten Tomatoes, where it holds an impressive 92% score from critics’ reviews and a solid 74% positive rating from over 25,000 fan ratings.
‘I absolutely love this film,’ wrote one fan on the review aggregator site, while others called it ‘perfect’.
‘I’m obsessed with this movie. Oscar Isaac is a beautiful musician and actor. The tale is heartbreaking. So well written and acted by every cast member. And the cinematography is gorgeous,’ enthused Pamela H.
‘Growing up around folk music, this film hits a lot of personal notes, and it’s a beautiful sad story that shouldn’t be missed,’ added another fan.
Inside Llewyn Dabis made back three times its budget, grossing $33million on an $11m production budget, while Empire magazine called it ‘beautiful, heartfelt and utterly enthralling’.
‘The music choices alone will ensure this haunting, beautifully detailed film will live a long and lasting life,’ added Radio Times.
Since then, the Coen Brothers have made Hail, Caesar! and The Ballad of Buster Scruggs together, as well as pursuing separate projects including The Tragedy of Macbeth (Joel) and the ‘lesbian B movies’ Drive-Away Dolls and Honey Don’t! (Ethan).
In a recent interview with Metro, Ethan confirmed it was much harder to make a film currently, compared to 20 or 30 years ago – despite all the accolades he has amassed.
‘Yes, with a big exclamation point!’ he responded. ‘It’s certainly harder than when I started, the whole economic climate, the whole movie industry is different.
‘If it’s not a kind of – whatever you want to call it – Marvel movie or something, that they think has a sort of a brand appeal, built-in brand, it’s very difficult to get a movie financed now.’
Inside Llewyn Davis is streaming on Netflix in the UK from October 1.
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