Review of Paterson (2016) by Kim%20 L — 02 Apr 2017

I am not sure how this film has gotten the ratings that it has--sure, the camera work and lighting are nice, and Adam Driver is, as always, great. But other than that, the film is greatly flawed. I, contrary to others who've written bad reviews, don't mind the slowness, nor the Ground-Hog-Day vibe.

The problem for me with this film is its portrayal of art, especially that of poetry. But, I'll start with the lesser evil: the wife's character. She is portrayed as an eccentric, but that eccentricity does not come off as endearing or interesting, but needy and flaky.

It is almost like we're being asked to critique and laugh at her, an act of judgement that seems in conflict with her husband's supposed admiration of her. This doesn't seem like character complexity as much as it does character confusion.

Honestly, the husband's character seems bored or even used in the relationship. And now, for my main gripe: the film's portrayal of poetry. Let us remind ourselves that poetry is a legitimate art form to which people (such as Driver's character in the film) dedicate themselves seriously.

That's why it is so disappointing and contradictory that the 'poems' in this movie are bad. If we are to have a character who is a secret, budding poet-genius, we must be able to believe that he is really that.

When we watch a film about a musical genius, usually the music is very well made--at the very least, executed by a professional. I'd find it hard to believe a 'professional' in literature was consulted on the 'poems' of this film.

(Is this because people think of poetry as being a lesser art?) The bad execution of the poetry makes Driver's character seem as if he's tinkering with the art at best, and I feel that for those of us who care deeply about the literary arts, the poetry in the film does not have the desired effect of inciting interest or wonder in the minutiae of daily life but instead reduces it to idiomatic corniness.