Review of Only Lovers Left Alive (2013) by Shantel D — 17 Jan 2015

2.5/4.0.

If you think that this your average vampire tale let alone vampire love story, you are very much mistaken. There is almost literally no bloodsucking involved! Writer-director Jim Jarmusch created a unique mood piece. A love story between two eloquent individuals who talk music and literature and who happen to be vampires.

She is Eve played by the ever-reliable and flawless Tilda Swinton who as the film opens is in Tangiers where an age-old vampire played by John Hurt resides who happens to be a famous literary character. He is Adam (Tom Hiddleston, in a massive change of pace from his flawless role as Loki in the Marvel universe), a musician who resides in Detroit and creates anonymous underground music with the help on aide (Anton Yelchin) who knows nothing about.

These age-old beings are not ruthless killers; they have achieved sustenance through acquiring first-rate blood. Adam secured supply from a doctor (Jeffrey Wright) at the right price. All fitting to the refined beings they are.

Their existence is threatened with the arrival of Ava (Mia Wasikowska), Eve's carefree younger sister. A massive change of pace for Wasikowska and the movie gets interesting at that bit but it doesn't quite take off in the manner one would have imagined maintaining the movie's muffed tone.

There is much to admire here and the two leads are undeniably watchable (although they both have had done better work) but I must say I didn't love "Only Lovers Left Alive". It is haunting but too slow and at times the characters feel too smart for their own good.