Paterson (2016)

Genres

Comedy, Drama, Romance

Director

Jim Jarmusch

Countries

USA, France, Germany

Cast

Adam Driver, Golshifteh Farahani, William Jackson Harper, Chasten Harmon, Barry Shabaka Henley, Rizwan Manji, Masatoshi Nagase, Kara Hayward, Jared Gilman, Method Man, Sterling Jerins

Storyline

It follows one week in the life of Paterson (Adam Driver), a young bus driver in the city of Paterson, New Jersey, with a big passion for poetry.

Opinion

I really wanted to like this film. The trailer looked interesting and I've heard a lot of great thing about it. Unfortunately, it made me understand those people who couldn't stand Jarmusch's latest film, "Only Lovers Left Alive". "Paterson" is repetitive and tedious. So tedious it's a challenge not to fall asleep.

The problem with this film is that it keeps you waiting for a story to develop, but nothing actually happens. All Jarmusch does is showing the tedious life of a bus driver drowning in daily life routine who tries to escape by writing poetries, goddamn awful poetries, to be honest, and his relationship with his girlfriend who has the urge to paint weird patterns everywhere. Also, Paterson's life is something, more we all experience every day. Some more than others.

I'm still trying to figure out what Jarmusch was trying to do, whether he wanted to make a character study or a relationship study; there's neither of them. Maybe he wanted to enhance the beauty of small things in life, but he didn't manage to that either. What he managed to do is present us a character that is not interesting, and far from being the kind of person that appreciate the little things in life. Paterson is more of an apathetic, bored guy who doesn't feel anything. He is as pathetic as its poetries, and all he does is faking emotions. The wife, on the other hand, is that kind of person; she is the interesting character. Unfortunately, she's just a supporting character.

All of that being said, Adam Driver really does a wonderful job as Paterson. He has the same bored expression throughout the whole film which fits the character very well. Golshifteh Farahani also does a good job as Paterson's quirky and interesting girlfriend.

Thursday Movie Picks: Rivalry

Hello and welcome back to Thursday Movie Picks, the weekly series hosted by Wandering Through the Shelves where you share three movies to fit the theme of the week each Thursday.

I think at some point in our lives we all have had a rival. Whether school/job or love related, I think it's the human nature to have a rival. Let's be honest, it makes things more interesting, especially on the job/school department. That's what pushes us to do our best, isn't it? Am I rambling? Anyway, here's my picks.

Rush (2013)

It is about the real-life rivalry between F1 drivers James Hunt and Nikki Lauda. I was very excited about this film when it came out because I've been a F1 fan since I was 10 and although I'm too young to have seen the rivalry in real time, I knew the troubled relationship between the two pilots and I was pleasantly surprised with Ron Howard's movie. It's well done and the performances from Hemsworth and Brühl are good. Also, Brühl really looks like Lauda.

The Prestige (2006)

It follows stage magicians Robert Angier and Alfred Borden as they try to outwit and destroy one another. This film is complex, engaging and thrilling. Basically everything one would expect from Christopher Nolan. The nonlinear storyline is perfect to build tension and the acting is phenomenal, with the exception of Scarlett Johansson. Oh, I almost forgot, there's also the rivalry between Nikola Tesla and Thomas Edison. It's not the focus of the film but it's well done. And I can't believe so many people didn't know Nikola Tesla was a real person. Seriously, where has everybody been living? Under a rock?

Rocky II (1979)

And about rocks, this film seems Rocky as he tries to clear his name by accepting Apollo Creed's challenge after becoming an embarrassment. Although it is not as original and good as the first film, I love this one because it represents the peak of Rocky and Apollo's rivalry. And to my big surprise, Stallone developed the characters even further, giving Adrian and Rocky Junior a bigger role without being overly sentimental. I never thought I'd say this, but kudos to Stallone. 

Three Colors: White (1994)

Original Title

Trois couleurs: Blanc

Genres

Comedy, Drama

Director

Krzysztof Kieślowski

Countries

France, Poland, Switzerland

Cast

Zbigniew Zamachowski, Julie Delpy, Janusz Gajos, Jerzy Stuhr, Aleksander Bardini, Grzegrz Warchol, Cezary Harasimowicz, Jerzy Nowak, Jerzy Trela, Teresa Budzisz-Krzyzanowska

Storyline

After his French wife (Julie Delpy) divorces him, Polish immigrant Karol (Zbigniew Zamachowski) goes back to Poland and plots to get even with her.

Opinion

I wasn't crazy about "Blue". It was a good film, but I didn't love it. I'm not the kind of person who gives up though - and I've been also told that the trilogy got better with which instalment - so I decided to keep watching. And it sure did get better. "White" is indeed a superb, deep yet entertaining film.

After using the blue of the French flag to make a movie about freedom, this time around Kieslowski chose white to talk about equality and he did it with a fantastic, engaging and, yes, very unlikely story of revenge that will keep you glued to the screen thanks to its unexpected twists.

I know it sounds kind of weird, dealing with equality with a tale of revenge, but it actually works. And the Polish director successfully manages to show the struggle for equality and how the second word of the French motto is important in society; he also shows that no matter how hard one tries, equality will never be attained. But after all, that's not even what people really want. 

Although it's very different from "Blue", "White"'s visuals are equally stunning. The colours seem warmer, which works really well with the film's plot; the photography, lighting and editing all are top-notch.

And just like its predecessor, the acting is marvellous. I knew already how good Julie Delpy is so she was no surprise to me, but Zbigniew Zamachowski blew me away. His performance as Karol, the possessive husband seeking revenge, is superb. He owns the character and he's able to make you feel for him. Finally, Janusz Gajos proves a good support. 

My Dinner with Andre (1981)

Genres

Biography, Comedy, Drama

Director

Louis Malle

Country

USA

Cast

Wallace Shawn, Andre Gregory, Jean Lenauer, Roy Butler

Storyline

Old friends Andre (Andre Gregory) and Wally (Wallace Shawn) meet for dinner and while one tells anecdotes detailing his experiences, the other notices their differing views.

Opinion

If someone were to ask me about "My Dinner with Andre" the first thing that'd pop up in my mind would be that it is not a film for everybody. To be honest, it is a film for a small group of people, the kind of people who are willing to really commit to a film. That said, I would also say that it is a brilliant cinematic experiment.

This is the kind of film that doesn't have a plot; the kind of film where nothing happens, literally. There are just two old friends talking for nearly two hours, and it's their job to entertain the viewer with that only. And both Wallace Shawn and Andre Gregory, who are both playing themselves, do a hell of a job. Only two fantastic storytellers would be able to entertain with a very long philosophical conversation. Seeing those two doing nothing but talking, and doing it in such a natural and charming way is beyond fascinating.

It's probably because it isn't the typical, mundane conversation between two old friends, but way more than that. French filmmaker Louis Malle used this film to discuss the meaning of life, how people choose to live it, and in particular how these two men interpret their lives.

Which brings me to the characters. Wally is just a simple guy who tries to enjoy the simple things in life; Andre, on the other hand, is a little (a lot) pretentious and seeks for meaning in grand adventures and more than once he gives the impression of exaggerating when telling his stories. The differences between these two men and the confrontation of their opinions are what makes "My Dinner with Andre" so interesting. And will make it stick to you for a while after you're done watching.