Review of Only Lovers Left Alive (2013) by Mike N — 23 Jul 2014
Quite possibly the two coolest vampires to ever grace the silver screen, Only Lovers Left Alive is an artistically stylish nod to the supernatural from director Jim Jarmusch (Broken Flowers, Ghost Dog) that stars Tom Hiddleston (Thor) and Tilda Swinton (We Need to Talk About Kevin) as centuries old vampires who have become more reclusive as they age because of their contempt for what has become of the human race.
Tom's Adam appears to be an ultra-cool hipster who simply likes older, vintage things because he IS old. Tilda's Eve is quite similar and she appears to be loathed by her more fun-loving and irresponsible little sister Ava (Mia Waskiowska - Jane Eyre) who believes her elders to be boorishly pretentious (when they are simply nothing more than wise).
John Hurt (Alien) co-stars as Eve's close friend and confidant, Christopher Marlowe (yes ... that Mr. Marlowe!). The action of the film takes place in a run-down Detroit which is highly symbolic of today's plight and a once-important Tangier that is still majestic and beautiful but only has meaning to those who actually know something .
.. and this is why Adam and Eve no longer fit into society. It isn't that they are vampires ... they are simply too intelligent and curious beings to co-exist in such a depraved, me-centered society.
The film is slow and lacks action many would most likely expect in a vampire flick as the film's high points are the brainy conversations these two hold begrudging a dumbed-down, diseased world. The film's final scene is one of my favorites of the last year.
Oh Tilda (okay, and Tom), how WONDERFUL thou art!
This review of Only Lovers Left Alive (2013) was written by Mike N on 23 Jul 2014.
Only Lovers Left Alive has generally received positive reviews.
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