Inside Llewyn Davis, Cinemas across London

The Coen Brothers have done it again. Inside Llewyn Davis, winner of the prestigious Cannes Grand Prix award and written, directed and edited by Joel and Ethan Coen, is one of the most anticipated films of 2014. Famed for a huge array of works, including Fargo (1996), The Big Lebowski (1998), O Brother Where Art Thou? (2000) and No Country for Old Men, (2007) the masterful duo have this time decided to turn their attention to the folk scene of 60s New York, resulting in a film that is both uproariously funny, and quietly philosophical. 
An idiosyncratic style which blends arch humour, surrealism and heightened dialogue has turned a cult Coen Brothers fan-base into a global following. Inside Llewyn Davis exhibit their usual flair for brilliant dialogue, aided by spot-on casting. 
Oscar Isaac, a relatively unknown actor (though noticeable in Winding Refn's Drive as Carey Mulligan's jailbird husband) gives a breakthrough performance in the title role of Llewyn, a talented but struggling folk musician - loosely based on the memoirs of Dave Van Ronk – who is trying to make it in a world that doesn’t seem to want him. Carey Mulligan (The Great Gatsby, Shame) and Justin Timberlake (Alpha Dog,The Social Network) offer up excellent supporting roles as Llewyn’s married Village friends, while Adam Driver, of Girls fame, helps to provide some of the comic gold that backbones the film.
In addition there is a fantastic soundtrack, produced by Grammy-winner T Bone Burnett, conjuring memories of ‘O Brother, Where Art Thou?’ In a highly original move, the directors chose to play out many of the film’s songs in full, and performances are given by Isaac himself as well as Justin Timberlake, Marcus Mumford and Bob Dylan.
If all of that isn’t enough for you, there’s also a scene-stealing cat called Ulysses. Speaking at a recent press conference, Joel Coen joked: 'The film doesn’t really have  a plot. Thatconcerned us at one point; that’s why we threw the cat in.'
Neat.
Inside Llewyn Davis is released in the UK on 24th January 2014.