Review of Only Lovers Left Alive (2013) by Patrick L — 05 Sep 2014

"Jim Jarmusch has made a groovy and well-acted vampire flick".

Movie Review: Only Lovers Left Alive.

Date Viewed: May 27 2014.

Written and Directed By Jim Jarmusch (Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai and Broken Flowers).

Starring: Tom Hiddleston, Tilda Swinton, Mia Wasikowska, Jeffrey Wright, Anton Yelchin and John Hurt.

"Only Lovers Left Alive" is an ingenious and offbeat vampire movie featuring good performances from Tilda Swinton and Tom Hiddleston (Loki, from "The Avengers" and "Thor"). I know what you're thinking, "Really, Another Vampire movie", "They're always boring and they're not interesting enough to make us care". I felt the same way until I saw writer/director Jim Jarmusch's film. He actually brings life into this bloodsucker and it actually works.

"Only Lovers Left Alive" is set in Detroit where we meet a reclusive musician named Adam (Tom Hiddleston). He is a vampire who has lived for centuries and he spends most his days recording albums on outdated studio equipment. He lives in a deserted neighborhood and he gets his blood supply from a hospital doctor named Watson (Jeffrey Wright). Adam is convinced that the humans are doomed to extinction and he refers to them as zombies.

Meanwhile, Adam's wife Eve (Tilda Swinton, also a vampire) has been living in Tangier for several years and she purchases her blood from a much older vampire named Christopher Marlowe (John Hurt). Marlowe is still furious at William Shakespeare for taking credit at the plays that he wrote. Eve travels back to Detroit (at night) to see her lover. Once their together again, they eat blood popsicles, listen to old records and play chess. The fun is immediately over when Eve's wild child sister Ava (Mia Wasikowska) comes over for a visit.

"Only Lovers Left Alive" is a triumphant comeback for Jarmusch who made the crime thriller "Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai" 15 years ago. It starred Forest Whitaker as a hitman for the mafia who follows the ancient code of the samurai. Jarmusch also made "Broken Flowers" which starred Bill Murray as an aging Don Juan who goes on a cross-country journey to search for four of his former lovers after he learns that he has son.

Attention all Twi-hards and students of "Vampire Academy" this is how you make a vampire movie. "Only Lovers Left Alive" is Jarmusch's best movie in years and you should really sink your teeth into it.