When regarding films that have been criminally underrated over the recent years, Joel and Ethan Coen’s Inside Llewyn Davis may just be the biggest victim of that category. Having been well-received by audiences and critics alike, the film had a decent run throughout various minor award ceremonies. But beyond that, this masterful period piece never acquired the acknowledgement it deserved, which is an outright ignominy.

The remembrance of this irresistible character study has been dismally low, for its glorious existence should be recognized. The film takes place over the course of a week in Greenwich Village folk scene in New York in 1961 during the harsh winter. Llewyn Davis (Oscar Isaac) is a struggling folk singer who has just recently become a solo act, making it difficult for him to book any gigs. As he jumps from couch to couch searching for work, a seemingly endless assortment of conflicts bestow upon him as he tries to become a class performer.

The character of Llewyn Davis is rude and cynical throughout, yet never once fails to serve a gripping protagonist, and that’s in favor of Oscar Isaac’s sensational work. Whether it’s an emotionally demanding scene or one that involves singing and/or playing guitar, which he does himself, Isaac excels. The supporting cast is outstanding as well, featuring top-notch performances from Carey Mulligan, John Goodman, Justin Timberlake and Adam Driver.

What’s most impressive about the film, however, is the way it weaves in these beautifully melancholic folk songs, most of which were performed by the actual cast as well as the additional help of Marcus Mumford from the great folk rock band Mumford & Sons. The songs all have a significant place in the film and never feel abrupt with their inclusion. Bruno Delbonnel also shows his immaculate skills as a director of photography here with his keen framing and fittingly glum color palette that almost resemble that of a black and white film.

There’s just so much praise this film deserves that people don’t seem to be giving it. It’s an honest, cruel examination of a person who has to overcome the obstacles life sets for him, as well as some he sets up for himself. Having a distaste for folk music or folk culture in general is no valid excuse for avoiding its cinematic perfection.