Joel and Ethan Coen: Have there ever been two guys that were just so obviously meant to do what they do? When's the last time you sat down to view a film knowing that the Coen brothers had a hand in it, and had any doubt as to whether or not it would be good? I'm sure at least one of you is snarkily remarking, "What about The Man Who Wasn't There, smart guy? What about Crimewave? Heh heh! Hey guys! I just totally pwned the guy who reviews movies for The Grand Cinema!" Quiet! Neither of those movies are bad, they're just not as good as some of the Coens' other offerings. Everything they touch turns to gold, some of it just doesn't shine so brightly.

Right about now, some of you are probably asking, "Isn't he supposed to be reviewing a movie?! He just keeps going on and on about the Coens! His article has no point or direction!" It's completely intentional. This week's article has no direction because the film I'm reviewing, by the Coens' own admission, has no story. And it's absolutely brilliant. (The movie, I mean.)

Inside Llewyn Davis showcases a week in the life of its titular character. Llewyn (Oscar Isaac) is a down-and-out folk singer struggling to find fame and fortune, or maybe just earn a living, in 1961 New York. Despite enjoying a small degree of success early in his career, things aren't going well for Llewyn when we meet him. Mike (sung by Marcus Mumford), Llewyn's musical partner, committed suicide some time before the film's opening. Llewyn, unable to find solo success, is reduced to playing sleazy juke joints and couch-surfing amongst a rotating roster of friends and vague acquaintances.

And thus the stage is set for one of the most entertaining pieces of cinema in recent memory. The film proper may have no story, but every single character in it does. Throughout Llewyn's travels, we're introduced to a cavalcade of interesting characters and plot threads, each of which could fill an entire movie on their own. Is Jean (Carey Mulligan) pregnant with Llewyn's baby, or is it her husband's? Is Jim's (Justin Timberlake) kitschy novelty song "Please, Mr. Kennedy" going to be a hit? Does Llewyn have a child that he didn't know about? Why does Roland Turner (played by a pimp-suited John Goodman) need two canes to walk? Does he really know the "Dark Arts"? Why is he such a jerk? Why are Mitch and Lillian Gorfein (Ethan Phillips and Robin Bartlett) so persistently kind? And, seriously, that cat's a ghost or a robot or something, right?

And herein lies the true genius of Inside Llewyn Davis. The film's story isn't inside Llewyn Davis at all; it's inside the audience. The Coens give us just enough information to draw us in and kindle the fires of our imaginations, but it's up to us to fill in the missing story inside Llewyn Davis.

(And OK, fine. Crimewave sucks. Happy now?)

INSIDE LLEWYN DAVIS, opens Wednesday, Dec. 25, The Grand Cinema, 606 S. Fawcett Ave., Tacoma, $4.50-$9, 253.593.4474