Review of Only Lovers Left Alive (2013) by Mahdi H — 27 Nov 2014

Only Lovers Left Alive (2014) - Thanks in no large part to a certain Stephanie Meyer adapted film series, Vampires have had quite the uphill battle to fight over the years... Of which, you can safely say "the war is over". "Only Lovers Left Alive" stars Tom Hiddleston, Tilda Swinton, John Hurt, Mia Wasikowska and Anton Yelchin. In so many ways this is a tragic love story set between two distant lovers (Swinton, Hiddleston) who just so happen to be vampires. Despite their love standing the test of time, can these creatures of the night maintain their immortal lives while the rest of the world crumbles around them?

"Hypnotic", is the first adjective that comes to mind upon revisiting this film for a second time before the year's end. I knew I stumbled on to something special the first time round but it wasn't until my second viewing that I really got to sink my teeth into the meat of this high class piece of work. From the trippy opening title card I was transported to another place; transfixed on every detail and piece of dialogue. Crafted by top tier director Jim Jarmusch, this is a spellbinding and highly engrossing drama with small touches of horror and romance. It's slow moving, fluidly edited and truly elegant in execution whether it be from its two wonderful leads or from its groovy musical aesthetic. Oh! And did I mention, it's a completely unique and interesting take on the vampire genre, one of which I think will be important in discussions around the subject for years to come. Imagine a horror film centred around vampires where the horror itself doesn't inherently lie in the monsters but society. This is a study on love, immortality and the degrading nature of society. These immortal lovers are simply trying to live but the acidic nature of the human race has put these two in a state of deep depression and anxiety. Just imagine, living for centuries all the while seeing, tasting, hearing and absorbing everything you possibly can out of life with no end in sight... Eventually you will become bored. Putting it plainly, I was so damn impressed with how incredibly smart witted this little hipster vampire tale was; so much so that I came back for seconds.

There's a lot to be said positively about this film, most of which I think can be allotted to Tom Hiddleston and Tilda Swinton. These two are stunning in this movie! They live and breathe these un-dead characters to life. They have an immediate sense of history and chemistry that just bleeds from the screen into your eye sockets. There's a sense of melancholy radiating from them that I found so engrossing to watch which plays hand in hand with the movie's dark tone and slow pacing. Despite some of the most riveting dialogue in 2014 cinema, I could have done without some of the tongue and cheek "vampire-in-jokes" as they felt a little out of touch with the rest of the movies somber tone. It was like the movie was saying "Hey! Remember, they're vampires" so much so that I felt like it was hitting me over the head. Hardly much of a criticism though as you can argue these cheeky winks to the audience are just part of the movie's witty charm.

I highly recommend a particular audience looking into this film. There's a rich coated texture to it that for the more patient viewer, will be extensively rewarding as an experience. It's unlike anything I've seen all year and also has some of the very best incorporations of music and musical discussion/appreciation I've seen in any movie. It's like a fine red wine that will get better with age for those seeking out the flavour but will either be too bitter or bypass the less open-minded audience; of which will likely just find this movie incredibly boring since these vampires aren't tearing everyone apart in a fury or sparkling in the sunlight. As much as I loved it, I can't say it's for everyone -- even if it rightfully should be. Then again, this movie's too damn good to be that popular.

GRADE: A-.