When Does "Inside Llewyn Davis" (2013) Take Place?
"Inside Llewyn Davis" is a historical fiction comedy film written by Joel Coen with Ethan Coen and released November 6th, 2013. So when is "Inside Llewyn Davis" set?
It takes place in the year:
We know this because the opening shot of the entire movie is immediately preceded by a time and place setting title card that says, "The Gaslight Café 1961". Several scenes take place at the real-world New York City music venue The Gaslight Cafe, which opened in 1958 AD and closed in 1971 AD. So it must be between 1958 AD and 1971 AD.
1961 AD
We know this because the opening shot of the entire movie is immediately preceded by a time and place setting title card that says, "The Gaslight Café 1961". Several scenes take place at the real-world New York City music venue The Gaslight Cafe, which opened in 1958 AD and closed in 1971 AD. So it must be between 1958 AD and 1971 AD.
More specifically, partway through the story, just after Llewyn Davis (based on the real-world folk singer-songwriter Dave Van Ronk: 1936-2002 and Ramblin' Jack Elliott: 1931-present) records back up guitar and vocals on a song with Jim Berkey and Al Cody, Llewyn is filling out a boilerplate recording contract and writes "FEB 18. 1961" in the blank space next to "Recording Date".
The entire narrative takes place in less than two weeks so it's all within February of 1961 AD.
