Review of Only Lovers Left Alive (2013) by Hannah K — 09 Mar 2014

Beautifully peculiar and revelatory, Jim Jarmush's, Only Lovers Left Alive, is an extraordinary revelation to the craft of filmmaking, a true masterpiece of cinema. The twenty first century humans, appropriately named "Zombies", are vulgar swine that decay culture and art from their hypocrisy and madness, a bold yet accurate idea portrayed by the films main vampire Adam whom has lived through all times.

Aging across dozens of cultures, Adam being the last remnant of a bygone era of art and candor is struggling with his appropriately named wife Eve, for they represent humanity's last remnant of artful creatures of passion, they are the Only Lovers Left Alive in a constantly changing world, holding the same values as times past.

Jarmush's direction is absolutely extraordinary adding a much needed sense of complacency and assuagement to the films screenplay. A motif the director likes to stick with is that of a spinning record, not only containing metaphorical meaning of evolvement, but also fantastic shots of the films main duo, circling around them.

The blocking, lighting, cinematography and production design are all fantastic. Adams home is where the production design shines for multiple centuries' own cultures reside in his home, yet are not humorous like a cartoon.

The atmospheric score is the best atmospheric score in the last decade for the score enhances the film not just residing with the images but speaking to them, the score is magnificent. Nothing happens in the film in terms of story but that is what is so bold about the film, no traditional story is required to expose man's own hypocrisy and malevolence.

Finally the acting in Only Lovers Left Alive is equally as good as the directing and score with all six main actors delivering mystifying erotic performances. Tilda Swinton is remarkable as Eve, effortlessly dissolving into her role thanks to her fantastic acting.

By far in a way, the stand out of Only Lovers Left Alive is Tom Hiddleston's performance as Adam. Hiddleston is a revelation expertly driving home the films message of human hypocrisy with dejected apathy, thanks to his incredible performance.

Beautifully peculiar and revelatory, Jim Jarmush's, Only Lovers Left Alive, is an extraordinary revelation to the craft of filmmaking and a true masterpiece of cinema.