Inside Llewyn Davis (Criterion) Blu-ray Review

Overview of The Criterion Collection’s edition of Inside Llewyn Davis

Inside Llewyn Davis (2013) Criterion Blu-ray

The visionary chroniclers of eccentric Americana Joel and Ethan Coen present one of their greatest creations in Llewyn Davis, a singer barely eking out a living on the peripheries of the flourishing Greenwich Village folk scene of the early sixties. As embodied by Oscar Isaac (Dune, Triple Frontier, Across the Spider-Verse) in a revelatory performance, Llewyn (loosely modeled on the Village folk legend Dave Van Ronk) is extraordinarily talented but also irascible, rude, and self-defeating. His circular odyssey through an unforgiving winter cityscape, evocatively captured by cinematographer Bruno Delbonnel, is realized with poignant humor and the occasional surreal touch. Featuring a folk soundtrack curated by T Bone Burnett, Inside Llewyn Davis reminds us that in the Coens’ world, history isn’t necessarily written by the winners.

Read Cinephile Corner’s review of Inside Llewyn Davis.

Inside Llewyn Davis (Criterion) Blu-ray Review

Oscar Isaac in Inside Llewyn Davis (2013)

The Criterion Collection edition of Inside Llewyn Davis provides a stunning enhancement to the Coen brothers’ somber masterpiece, excelling in both video and audio presentation. The film stands apart visually from much of the Coens’ oeuvre, boasting a hazy, melancholic aesthetic that underscores Llewyn’s dreary, existential journey. The slight film grain in the image captures the texture and imperfection of 1960s Greenwich Village, beautifully contrasting with the harsh, muted tones of his road trip to Chicago. Criterion‘s digital transfer meticulously preserves this visual mood, ensuring the film’s introspective atmosphere remains intact. Whether it’s the dimly lit bars of the Village or the stark highways of winter, the transfer faithfully reproduces the film’s subdued color palette and naturalistic lighting, maintaining its immersive and somber quality.

Inside Llewyn Davis owes much of its striking visual identity to cinematographer Bruno Delbonnel, whose collaboration with the Coen brothers extends to The Ballad of Buster Scruggs and Joel Coen’s The Tragedy of Macbeth. Delbonnel’s signature style—marked by atmospheric lighting, muted palettes, and poetic framing—infuses Inside Llewyn Davis with a haunting beauty that complements its melancholic narrative.

This visual approach sets the film apart from other Coen brothers’ collaborations with cinematographers like Roger Deakins (No Country for Old Men, Fargo) and Barry Sonnenfeld (Blood Simple, Miller’s Crossing, Raising Arizona), who often employ crisp, dynamic imagery to enhance the Coens’ storytelling. Where Deakins tends toward stark contrasts and bold compositions, and Sonnenfeld utilizes kinetic energy and vibrant colors, Delbonnel opts for a more subdued, painterly aesthetic. This aligns with the reflective, introspective tone of Inside Llewyn Davis, making it a distinct visual entry in the Coens’ filmography.

Oscar Isaac and Justin Timberlake in Inside Llewyn Davis (2013)

The Criterion Collection edition of Inside Llewyn Davis amplifies the film’s stunning auditory qualities, delivering a rich and immersive experience that complements its celebrated soundtrack. Widely regarded as one of the best soundtracks of the 2010s, the music plays a central role in the film’s emotional core, and this transfer preserves the intricate details of each performance. Oscar Isaac’s soulful, stripped-down renditions resonate with remarkable clarity, showcasing both his talent as an actor and as a musician, which is pivotal to the authenticity of Llewyn’s character.

One of the most powerful moments in the film—Llewyn’s haunting performance in front of Bud Grossman (played by F. Murray Abraham)—is especially breathtaking in this edition. The scene, steeped in quiet vulnerability and devastating rejection, comes alive with every pluck of the guitar and every nuance in Isaac’s voice rendered with pristine depth. This transfer captures the melancholic beauty of the music while ensuring the raw emotions behind each song remain intact, solidifying Inside Llewyn Davis as a masterclass in blending narrative and music.

If you’re going to buy an edition of Inside Llewyn Davis, it should be The Criterion Collection edition. The transfer is excellent, the special features are immense, and the new artwork is beautiful. It’s a thorough release of one of the best movies of the 2010s.

Inside Llewyn Davis (Criterion) Special Features

The Criterion Collection edition of Inside Llewyn Devis includes a hefty amount of special features, including:

4K digital transfer, approved by directors Joel and Ethan Coen, with 5.1 surround DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack
New audio commentary featuring authors Robert Christgau, David Hajdu, and Sean Wilentz
New conversation between filmmaker Guillermo del Toro and the Coen brothers about the evolution of their approach
Inside “Inside Llewyn Davis” (2013), a forty-three-minute documentary directed by David Prior (The Empty Man)
Another Place, Another Time (2014), a 101-minute film documenting an Inside Llewyn Davis tribute concert, featuring Joan Baez, Marcus Mumford, Punch Brothers, Gillian Welch, Jack White, and others
New conversation between music producer T Bone Burnett and the Coens about folk music, with illustrations by Drew Christie
New piece about the early sixties Greenwich Village folk scene, featuring music writer and historian Elijah Wald
Sunday, a short film by Dan Drasin documenting a 1961 clash between folk musicians and police in Washington Square Park
Trailers
English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
An essay by film critic Kent Jones