Oscar Isaac’s Unforgettable Performance: The Biggest Oscar Snub of 2013!

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Few movie directors have managed to stay as relevant as the Coen brothers over an extended period. Despite a temporary split between them, they have maintained their relevance for close to five decades. They’ve not only stayed relevant but also consistently delivered quality work across various eras, genres, and tones. With the trailer for Ethan Coen and Tricia Cooke’s “Honey Don’t” now available online, fans are revisiting the filmography of the Coen brothers to reassess their works. Among these masterpieces, one standout is their 2013 film that pushed their oversized sensibilities to unprecedented and melancholic heights.

In the movie “Inside Llewyn Davis,” though not quite reaching the level of critical adoration as some of their other works, it is fondly recalled as one of the Coen Brothers’ softer and more emotionally resonant productions. The film boasts impressive acting from stalwart Coen collaborators like John Goodman and fresh faces such as Adam Driver. However, the standout act in the entire production is undeniably that of Oscar Isaac, who portrays the title character Llewyn Davis. Isaac’s performance is indelibly moving, deeply emotional, and arguably the best performance across the Coen Brothers’ collective body of work. Regrettably, his exceptional acting was overlooked at the Academy Awards.

What Is Inside Llewyn Davis About?

The Coen brothers’ films exhibit an unusual blend of styles, effortlessly transitioning between various genres without fully adhering to any one particular style. To some, this may appear as a lack of commitment or even a cop-out; however, it is often said that their work defies categorization – you recognize it when you see it. Despite the seeming ambiguity, their films are indeed consistent in their unique nature. They carry an underlying tone of melancholy and sadness, yet they manage to maintain a witty and humorous atmosphere throughout. Their characters are grandiose and deeply rooted in folklore, but they emerge as relatable protagonists. In essence, the Coen brothers’ films represent a paradoxical blend of sorrow and humor, mythology and realism.

A movie like “Inside Llewyn Davis” uniquely embodies the paradoxical spirit typical of Coen Brothers’ films. It skillfully explores grief in depth yet manages to maintain an unwavering air of optimism throughout its 104-minute duration. This film, for this reason alone, is worth remembering. Although it can be challenging to define a distinct Coen Brothers’ style, they do have recurring themes, and one such theme is the turbulent journey of a musician – a topic that the brothers frequently revisit.

Inside Llewyn Davis” tells the story of a challenging week in the life of the main character, Llewyn Davis (Oscar Isaac), a struggling and sorrowful folk singer in New York City during the early 1960s. The narrative focuses on Llewyn’s ever-changing circle of acquaintances as they traverse the tumultuous and unforgiving music scene in Greenwich Village.

Llewyn recently embarked on a solo career following his partner’s untimely demise, and he struggles to make sense of a world that shows little regard for his abilities and emotional turmoil. He finds himself couch-surfing, quarreling unintentionally with loved ones, and collaborating with individuals whose artistic tastes diverge sharply from his own, out of sheer necessity.

Matters seem to improve when Llewyn embarks on a journey to Chicago to audition for a music producer, but the ruthless world of entertainment holds no easy answers.

The movie portrays a clear narrative thread, yet spends a significant portion of its duration on everyday scenes to underscore the aimlessness and lack of purpose in Llewyn’s mournful existence. It delicately examines the sacrifices, irritations, and brief instances of connection that characterize the life of an artist. The film creates a portrait, rich in sacrifice, frustration, and awkward connections, depicting a man struggling between repressed feelings and vulnerability.

Inside Llewyn Davis Was a Critical Smash

In the years leading up to 2013, and as evidenced by their work in the early 2000s like “Drive-Away Dolls,” this talented duo discovered that critical acclaim doesn’t always ensure success. Despite having achieved the pinnacle of their profession with the Best Picture winner “No Country for Old Men” and the universally adored “The Big Lebowski,” they learned by 2013 that such accolades are not guaranteed. Surprisingly, even though their expectations might have been different, their film “Inside Llewyn Davis” turned out to be a huge hit upon release, and it remains popular today.

By May 2025, the movie with a folk music backdrop has garnered a remarkable 92% approval rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes, while audiences have given it a slightly less enthusiastic 74%. Both fans and critics seem to concur that the film masterfully combines absurd humor with raw realism and profound melancholy. Many viewers believe that the biopic-like quality of the movie enhances the protagonist’s sense of aimlessness. Llewyn appears perpetually on the verge of success, reflecting other musical biopics, yet never quite reaches those pinnacles, leaving viewers with an unsettling sensation.

IMDB ScoreTomatometerPopcornmeterLetterboxd Score
7.4/1092%74%4/5

The movie “Inside Llewyn Davis” garnered widespread acclaim from esteemed critics back then. It consistently appeared on “Best of the Year” lists, and even made it to number 11 in a 2016 BBC poll for the “100 Greatest Films of the 21st Century.” The film also earned a perfect 4/4 rating from Glenn Kenny on RogerEbert.com. Although the renowned critic passed away before the film’s Cannes premiere, it’s frequently mentioned that he would have praised this movie had he seen it.

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Oscar Isaac Was Snubbed at the 86th Academy Awards

Though the movie received countless accolades, what resonated most with modern viewers and critics was their belief that Oscar Isaac could be a strong candidate for an Academy Award. Regrettably, this prediction didn’t pan out. Remarkably, Coen Brothers films have a tradition of steering their actors towards Academy Awards, but in the case of “Inside Llewyn Davis”, it was largely overlooked at the 86th edition of the prestigious awards ceremony.

The movie achieved success at numerous award precursors. Directors Joel and Ethan Coen won the Grand Prix at Cannes Film Festival, while Oscar Isaac had a brief spell of recognition, earning nominations for both Golden Globe Awards and Independent Spirit Awards. However, despite these nominations, there were no top-tier nominations that year at the Oscars. Although many nominations were well-deserved, it’s challenging to accept that Oscar Isaac was not among them.

2013 saw an abundance of impressive films hitting the big screen, and the nominees for the prestigious award were particularly noteworthy. In the end, Matthew McConaughey emerged victorious for his remarkable portrayal of Ron Woodroof in Dallas Buyers Club, though he faced stiff competition. Joining him on the list were Christian Bale in American Hustle, Bruce Dern in Nebraska, Chiwetel Ejiofor in 12 Years a Slave, and, surprisingly, Leonardo DiCaprio was not recognized for his role in The Wolf of Wall Street. Many considered this to be the “overlooked performance” of the year.

Among the five actors contending for the Best Actor award this year, it’s hard to deny that they form one of the most talented groups in recent history. However, instead of saying it would be preposterous not to acknowledge Oscar Isaac’s snub from a nomination, let me rephrase by stating that Oscar Isaac was undoubtedly overlooked for a nomination in this highly competitive category. Picking one actor over another from such an exceptional group is challenging, but if I had to make a choice, it would be Bruce Dern.

Dern’s portrayal of Woody Grant showcases depth and introspection, yet the film in which it appears is relatively unremarkable. Compared to other notable performances in his career, this one might not hold the top spot (which goes to 1978’s undervalued classic Coming Home).

Even though it’s been more than a decade since the debut of “Inside Llewyn Davis,” this film remains profoundly impactful not only as an outstanding addition to its creator’s body of work, but also as a thought-provoking examination of grief in cinematic art. The movie skillfully blends elements of a biopic and a casual hangout movie, creating a unique atmosphere. Its compact runtime is filled with bleak humor, absurdity, and deeply personal themes, much of which can be attributed to Oscar Isaac’s captivating performance. Although he didn’t receive the recognition from the Academy of Motion Pictures that year due to the extraordinary competition in 2013, there’s now a growing sense that it’s time to reevaluate his work in this film.

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2025-05-21 18:53