Inside Llewyn Davis

Among all of the troubled relationships the title character endures in Inside Llewyn Davis, perhaps the most volatile is that between the beleaguered folk singer whose life revolves around a music scene that doesn’t seem to love him back.

The latest effort from the versatile filmmaking team of Joel and Ethan Coen is an evocative tribute to early 1960s folk music as seen through the eyes of a starving artist on the fringes of fame.

The story takes place in Greenwich Village, where Llewyn (Oscar Isaac) clings to his guitar as the only remnant of his once promising career as a singer and songwriter. Bitter and neurotic, he wears out his welcome with various friends over the course of a week, including a fellow singer (Carey Mulligan) involved in a web of relationships with people Llewyn generally dislikes. He’s frustrated with never being given a chance to shine, yet oblivious to his off-putting personality traits at the root of the problem.

Inside Llewyn Davis is a low-key, deliberately paced story of redemption that gradually reveals details about why Llweyn hit rock bottom. His lengthy list of regrets and what-ifs is reflected in his melancholy lyrics as well as his behavior, as it becomes apparent that his misfortune is a product of his own doing along with a music business that can be cruel to those who aren’t trendy.

Almost as vital as Llewyn himself is the role played by the music, as heard through a gloriously eclectic soundtrack of mostly old folk covers that’s generously sampled throughout the film.

As for the human characters — along with a wayward cat — they are quirky but grounded. The supporting cast is excellent, with an incidental opportunity to hear Justin Timberlake belt out a couple of folk songs as one of Llewyn’s rivals.

The film provides a potential breakthrough role for Isaac (Drive), who not only finds sympathy in a deeply flawed protagonist, but he showcases some top-notch vocal abilities.

While it’s not an outright comedy, the Coens display a sharp and acerbic sense of humor along with a visually striking re-creation of time and place. Their script could use more narrative thrust, but the film’s refusal to adhere to mainstream conventions is a significant contributor to its offbeat charm.

Rated R, 104 minutes.