Review of Paterson (2016) by Alex H — 29 Nov 2016

American beatnik filmmaker Jim Jarmusch has always been a bit hit and miss for me. I often appreciate his approach and alternate viewpoint for American movies but at the same time I have found the majority of his films (save for Gimme Danger, Dead Man and Down By Law) bore me to tears.

However, with Paterson; Jarmusch reveals his masterpiece. Paterson is a rare film that displays and captures beauty, humour and profoundness in the mundanity of life that never bores. Without an an ounce of cynicism the characters in Paterson and their stories feel home grown, spun and warm and furthermore inviting.

The cinematography really lets the quaint and homely New Jersey location of Paterson shine and makes me want to immediately get the next available flight there. Adam Driver gives his best and most nuanced performance yet on film as the titular character whose sensitivity and well mannered nature is refreshing in the age of cocky and bombastic leading men in Hollywood.

Laura played by Golshifteh Farahani is equally as compelling as the vibrant, affectionate and ambitious wife of Paterson who is delightful to watch. Paterson's passengers on his bus, bar fellows and random encounters on the street all feel like palpable characters you would meet and add great levity and interest to the picture.

This low-key piece of cinema won't be to everyones taste and not a hell of a lot really happens, but that really is the inherent charm of the picture. The week you spend in Paterson's company within the confine of the run time makes you beam from ear to ear and leaves you wanting to spend just a few more days with him in his town.