These days I prefer to read reviews after I've seen a film or read a book. This way I'm not predisposed or prejudiced in some way, and I have to make an effort to decide what I think - not whether someone else was right, wrong or the writer/director's best friend. I decide what to see or read by scanning column inches and headlines, by recommendations, and by hearing bits and pieces on the radio. Obviously, I'm not completely in the dark about what I'm about to see or read, but I'm pretty sketchy.
I went to see Inside Llewyn Davis yesterday. We'd just watched The Man Who Wasn't There at the weekend so I was ready for more Coen Brothers' melancholy and dark humour and brilliant cinematography. Well, this has all of those things. It has great music, brilliant performances, and every frame is beautifully composed, lit and coloured. It's an intelligent film full of classical allusions and references, many patterns and plenty of subtext and it's also, I thought, incredibly sad.
But what's fantastic is that it has given rise to some seriously good, well-written reviews. I imagine film critics have to go through the motions so often (what do you say about the nth Harry Potter film?) that they must wonder if they'll ever be able to flex their writing muscles. Well, Inside Llewyn Davis has clearly given critics an opportunity to show just what they can do, and has allowed them to share depths of knowledge and analysis that many films don't inspire - or warrant. My favourite reviews for insight are in the Guardian, the Telegraph and the FT. I'm not saying read them now, but perhaps after seeing the film.
(Inside Llewyn Davis should really be seen by anyone who saw and enjoyed Frances Ha. Lots to compare and contrast there.]
I just read the Guardian review, and "split from his partner" doesn't really cover it. I guess they don't want to spoil it, but I thought the whole movie was about that *split* and how our hero deals with it.
Posted by: Mary deB | February 06, 2014 at 12:47
I haven't seen this yet and I'm a big fan of the Coen brothers, but I'm not sure when it will get to NZ so I am also avoiding reviews, but a friend wrote about it. He is a kiwi, living in London. I enjoy his writing and his previous reviews are intelligent and thoughtful, so you may be interested in this too: http://choirboymotel.com/2014/01/26/beautiful-loser/
Posted by: Sally | February 06, 2014 at 18:10
I thought it was sad also. My husband had read the reviews before going and said it was reviewed as a comedy. What? I thought that was BS. I liked the music but didn't think about it after seeing it, which tells me it wasn't all that great.
Posted by: Marsha | February 06, 2014 at 18:19
Some of the reviews enthused about the great soundtrack but surely the point was that quite a lot of the music was of the rather glib, tuneful but formulaic Peter, Paul and Mary/Clancy Brothers (the aran sweaters must have been tongue in cheek here..........) type, apparently despised by Llewyn.
Even his songs and singing style- which were more interesting than the others, didn't rate compared to Dylan, hence his appearance at the very end of the film
Posted by: Annette | February 06, 2014 at 18:56
Crikey I don't know where I've been but this film has passed me by completely. I love the Coen brothers so was really interested to hear about this - the trailer has got me gripped already! I'm with you on the reviews - my husband runs everything through Rotten Tomatoes before agreeing to watch a film - very annoying as after all it is just someone else's opinion (or at least that's the argument that I use!) Thanks for the 'heads up'x Jane
Posted by: Jane | February 06, 2014 at 23:16
I loved this too, perfectly melancholy for rainy February. I'm waiting for the new Wes Anderson now my Coen bros appetite has been satisfied.
Posted by: Chloe | February 07, 2014 at 19:49