Only Lovers Left Alive (2013)

Genre

Drama

Director

Jim Jarmusch

Country

UK | Germany

Cast

Tilda Swinton, Tom Hiddleston, Mia Wasikowska, John Hurt, Anton Yelchin, Jeffrey Wright, Slimane Dazi, Yasmine Hamdan, White Hills

Storyline

Adam (Tom Hiddleston), an underground musician, deeply depressed by the direction of human activities, reunites with his lover for centuries Eve (Tilda Swinton). Their love is interrupted and tasted by Eve's wild and uncontrollable little sister Ava (Mia Wasikowska).

Opinion

After years and years of humiliation, thanks to Jim Jarmusch, the vampire genre finally reappropriates of its dignity.

With its quiet tempo, Only Lovers Left Alive is a stylish, philosophical, and deeply melancholic film that drags the viewer into the deepest solitude.

The story is simple, yet great, but it isn't that vital, as it comes second to the characters. Apart from being two eternal lovers of ethereal beauty, Adam and Eve are very interesting characters. 

Desolate streets, cities, all seen through the window of a car. There are only Adam and Eve, alone. Two lovers who have seen everything and have resigned themselves to the decadence of modern society. A decadence "performed" by humans/zombies, which destroy their fellowmen, nature, and the beauty inherited from the past - just think of the Michigan Theatre, once a glorious place and now a car park. 

They are wise, and mature, and their conversations are passionate and fascinating. Life tends to lose meaning when one has lived so long, but as long as we have somebody to share our life with, everything will make sense - and that's what happens when Adam and Eve reunite.

There is one particular scene that stuck with me: when Adam was captured by the singing of a Lebanese singer and was informed by Eve that she could become famous one day. It's right there when we see Adam's attitude towards the contemporary society at its best. He hopes that she won't become famous, so to stay true to her art, and not lose who she is in the blur of the stars. 

The beautifully romantic, gloomy and decadent atmosphere, the sublime photography, and the retro settings enrapture and envelop the viewer in a halo of melancholy. The music is flawless: carefully selected, always suitable, omnipresent yet never intrusive.

If nothing of what you have just read makes you want to watch this film, do it then for the stunning acting. Tom Hiddleston delivers a wonderful performance as Adam - if you think he was great as Loki, you should definitely see him in here. Tilda Swinton is superb as always. John Hurt well plays Christopher Marlowe. Mia Wasikowska is terrific as usual as Swinton's sister.

I read that Michael Fassbender was in talks to play Adam - and I bet you all know how much I love him - but it's really hard to imagine a pair of actors more perfect for these parts. And with such a great chemistry.

Quotes

Eve: How can you've live for so long and still not get it? This self obsession is a waste of living. It could be spend in surviving things, appreciating nature, nurturing kindness and friendship, and dancing. You have been pretty lucky in love though, if I may say so.

Eve: I'm sure she'll be very famous.
Adam: God, I hope not. She's way too good for that.