SHOALS OF HERRING

It is testament to the strength of the songs in Coen Brothers movies that I return to them again.

After previously writing about songs in Oh Brother, Where Art Thou? and The Ballad of Buster Scruggs it’s the turn of the more understated Inside Llewyn Davis.

The film follows struggling, penniless musician Llewyn (Oscar Isaac) as he tries to revive his ailing career, and attract some attention to his debut solo album Inside Llewyn Davis.

Llewyn is a technically proficient musician, who has a great voice, but cannot cut through the barrier, but cannot seem to manage to connect with audiences or executives - one of whom, after listening to a beautiful rendition of The Death Queen Jane says simply “I don’t see any money here”

The scene and song I’m choosing to highlight today, however, is the Shoals of Herring scene.

In this Llewyn visits his father in a nursing home. It becomes immediately apparent that the relationship between Father and Son has been strained for some time, but despite that Llewyn sits down to play a song. A song which has clearly created a bond between the two in the past.

As Llewyn sings a song about life aboard the fishing vessels, of people doing the same job day in day out, as they grow old, only to be replaced by the young, his Father begins to stir. A look, perhaps, of emotion, passes across his face. Has Llewyn finally been able to connect with an audience.

And then the reveal.

Llewyn’s father was not moved. It is not clear if he was even listening.

He has, instead, shat himself.

And this is why I have chosen this song. It almost perfectly encapsulates what a Coen Brothers film is.

The beauty of the music, The complicated relationships between characters, the performances and the writing, and then the pull back and reveal of the punchline.

Inside Llewyn Davis itself, is not the easiest of watches. It is certainly not the most accessible Coen Brothers film, but for fans of cinema, and of folk music, it is a must watch.