Coens recycle musical rivalries in “Inside Llewyn Davis”

Film · Ideas & Opinion
The closing moments of the Coen Bros “Llewyn Davis” distinctly refer to a struggle between two artistic strivers; the rapidly imploding and unsuccessful Llewlyn, a fictional character, eclipsed by a real-life rival who burned brighter — Bob Dylan. The film also hearkens an earlier aristic rivalry between a bright star and a perpetual under dog: ...

“Inside” a portrait of the artist as his own worst enemy 1

Film
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One of the most interesting things about the reaction to “Inside Llewyn Davis” (Arcight, Hollywood; The Landmark, Westwood) is puzzlement over whether writers-directors Joel and Ethan Coen intend a sarcastic portrayal of the early ‘60s folk music scene in Greenwich Village. The question isn’t baseless. Sarcasm has sometimes been a potent tool for the brothers ...