Paterson

51st KVIFF - an averagely good indie drama from the ranks of those that prefer atmosphere and colourful characters over plot. Adam Driver is fitting for the role, hopefully he won’t be eaten up by Star Wars. But I don’t see any reason to consider Paterson as an event. Quality average. (03/07/2016)

During the premiere, I had the urge to visit the movie theater and alleviate the withdrawal symptoms of my addiction to good films. Paterson seemed like a solid opportunity, given the enthusiastic reviews of others. However, my previous encounter with Jarmusch's vampire lovers ended in significant disappointment, and those who sing odes to Paterson were similarly enthralled by Only Lovers Left Alive. I enjoyed Jarmusch in the 90s when titles like Dead Man or Night on Earth represented a small film festival for me, and I didn't hesitate to visit the movie theater because of them. Since Coffee and Cigarettes, his melancholic poetry, minimalism, and fascination with stereotype and banality began to gnaw at me a bit, and step by step, I began to lose interest. Paterson confirmed to me that our breakup was final. What others find charming, I find tiresome. I honestly can't appreciate the film's mood and Jarmusch no longer has any surprises for me. The only thing left is to see how his 90s works, which I loved so much, will affect me upon repeated viewing. Overall impression: 40%. (22/10/2018)

What Jarmusch has given me so far mostly resonated with me some more, yet Paterson, with all due respect to Driver's unique performance, doesn't have. After a few days, all I can recall is the likable hipster pose, which, though I resisted the idea tooth and nail at the sight of happy bearded men in leggings and Converse shoes after leaving the movie theater, is unfortunately just over the edge of being more pop than art. (08/01/2017)

It's kind of everyday poetry. This film flows so pleasantly, there is nothing overdone, there are no deep overwrought emotions (even the unpleasant event in the end is accepted by the main character with stoic calmness) and Paterson's poems, some of which I really liked, float above it all. The whole thing is thrown into a kind of chill-out mode, as Paterson slowly and deliberately recites his poems, the story flows quietly and is very nice to watch. And Adam Driver is a great actor. Great. He’s wasted in the Star Wars circus (even Scorsese has figured that out). (04/07/2017)

Now you will finally see me for what I am! I'm clearly not smart enough to appreciate Paterson. I just don’t find it interesting to watch the day-to-day life of a bus driver with poetic inclinations and his extremely creative wife. I was so supremely bored that I almost nodded off twice, but I fought it until the bitter end. I thought I'd give Jim Jarmusch a call. His next movie could be about me. It would surely be just as boring, maybe even more so, which would certainly kick it up a notch in terms of quality. The bus breaking down sure gave the story a new edge and brought an incredible amount of suspense. Ugh… (26/08/2017)