Lists

Thursday, December 22, 2016

REVIEW: Paterson


The year 2016 delivered fulfilling cinema experiences, but I'd argue that you won't find any as rich as Jim Jarmusch's "Paterson". To quote the awards campaign tagline for "The King's Speech", some movies make you feel. "Paterson" is one of them. This quiet drama radiates warmth and comforts you like a cozy blanket.

Appropriately titled, "Paterson" refers both to the name of its protagonist (played by Adam Driver) and the New Jersey city that provides the setting. It takes place during the course of one week in this bus driver's life, as he goes about his daily routine, waking and returning home to his beautiful wife Laura (Golshifteh Farahani). His days are also filled with poetry, as he draws inspiration from his environment to write in his notebook. Paterson is content with this simple yet satisfying life. Still, Laura - an aspiring country singer/artist/designer/cupcake-maker - hopes some of her own ambition will rub off on him, encouraging him to publish his poems. But only time will tell where the winds will take him.

With a pair of main characters interested in art and the plot's reliance on poetry, it would be understandable to levy the "pretentious" label on the film. Indeed, Farahani's supposedly struggling artist character is literally a dreamer with seemingly no worries in her life. Furthermore, the pacing is decidedly leisurely.

And yet, "Paterson" never strikes a false note. Far from a manic pixie dream girl, Farahani's makes Laura feel so real. She has a calming presence that feels absolutely sincere and conveys genuine kindness. And her sincerity fits perfectly into a screenplay that surprisingly never reaches for lofty existentialism. What Jarmush accomplishes instead with his minimalist screenplay, is a wonderful slice of quaint small city life.

Most crucial to the film's success however, is Adam Driver's pitch-perfect performance as Paterson. As a compulsive people-watcher, he is an ideal window into this world. We experience all the sights and sounds alongside him, witnessing snippets of what could be standalone film narratives happening all around him. As he encounters scorned lovers and chatty teens, the film invites us to ponder the comedy and poetry of everyday life.

Simply put, "Paterson" is a precious film. And in its own effortlessly bittersweet, life-affirming way, it reminds you to appreciate the little things in life. Unlike more showy films, its modesty is its greatest strength. Like Aristotle said, the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

3 comments:

  1. NHL 2018. All NHL team jerseys customized with NHL players' names and numbers are officially licensed by the NHL and the NHLPA. The Zamboni word mark and configuration of the Zamboni ice resurfacing machine are registered trademarks of Frank J. (Michael Kors Fulton Shoulder Bag Black)

    Coach Outlet Belt Bag, There no doubt the medical student and kickboxer set off from Sydney in 2013 to be by ISIS side. But Ms Mitat said Sahib seemed out of his depth: was so soft. When he saw me cry, he cried too.

    Others state that the lift was used in the late afternoon to move some heavy equipment. What is certain is that the emergency telephone number (952 472842) necessary to call Otis is no longer valid and the current number is 901 240024. Soon we expect each cabin to have a telephone alarm installed which will automatically connect to the Otis service department as this requirement has been confirmed in a new contract with Otis. (Michael Kors Black Fulton Purse)

    The ladies race looks like it will be a dual between two very strong athletes, namely previous winner Sharon Trimble (North Belfast Harriers) and Clare MacAuley (Bellahouston Harriers). The Scotland based athletes, both of whom are back in Northern Ireland for the festive period, always impress when in competition and nothing will change here. Sharon, a winner of this race in 2012, when she finished in the top ten overall, is arguably Northern Ireland's top trail runner, and was part of the Irish team who claimed a bronze medal at the World Mountain Running Championships in 2013. (Michael Kors Black Purse Amazon)

    Coach White Bag Price, Has] been through more than most could stand, and yet stand she does, wrote McGowan. Stood up to her monster rapist and now she has to stand up to yet another monster, suicide I know so many around the world thought of Anthony Bourdain as a friend and when a friend dies, it hurts. Many of these people who lost their are wanting to lash out and blame.

    ReplyDelete
  2. We are so consumed by our consumerism and unable to just "Be still and Ray Ban Sunglass Hut know that I Am God" that Michael Kors Bags Sale we are willing to pay Jordan Shoes For Sale Cheap people to help us do this. I sit with people and transmit the timeless Beingness energy into people and they give me money. The Moment, the All That Is, Love, Peace, Infinite Source Awareness Real Yeezy Shoes is after all the most valuable commodity in the Uni Verse (the Song of One), just as Coach Outlet Store Online it Discount Jordan Shoes Wholesale should be Ray Ban Round Sunglasses.

    ReplyDelete
  3. And from there we moved to this house on Lewis Street, which was this really tiny house. But compared to that neighborhood Real Yeezy Shoes it was amazing. And then my MK Outlet mom 2020 Jordan Release Dates would eventually meet her boyfriend who would Coach Bags On Sale Online become my stepfather. Le and Murton, Bramley J. (2018) 'Assessment Ray Ban Round Sunglasses of the mineral resource potential of Atlantic Ferromanganese crusts based on their growth history, microstructure, and texture.', Minerals., Coach Outlet Store Online 8 (8). P.

    ReplyDelete