2013 Cannes Critics’ Panel Day 5: Coen Bros.’ Inside Llewyn Davis

Almost fitting that it was raining “cats” and dogs during the queuing up portion to yesterday’s early-lead press screening at the Debussy for the Coen Bros.’ latest, perhaps riskiest film in recent memory includes furry feline friends, folk style score, an infusion of the classic, offbeat, deadpan Coen-esque comedy elements intertwined with a surprising number of songs that overlap with a narrative that contains darker undercurrents; Oscar Isaac’s character’s journey is seldom hope-filled but desperate, road-blocked filled. While we await more grades, Inside Llewyn Davis rocked our charts, the critical consensus among our panel is that this (we’re almost at the midday point) would be the film to beat.