Review of Only Lovers Left Alive (2013) by Alejandro E — 19 Apr 2015

Two disaffected vampires deal with existential angst.

Moody and atmospheric, Jim Jarmusch's vampire film is heavy on snob and light on plot. While I'm never one to complain about films that reward the audience for being smart and understanding obscure references, I also need more than abstruse literary allusions to keep me invested in the characters. Structured in four acts, the first two acts are about the two leads, and Jarmusch's vamps wonder if life is worth living and love is worth loving, eventually resolving these conflicts in under-toned affirmatives. Mia Wasikowska adds some life to the dour existence, but she is quickly exiled, and since this is the one part of the film where we had a real plot and conflict, the film limps into the final act.

Overall, Jarmusch's reliance on mood over story leaves the film flat.