Review of Stranger Than Paradise (1984) by Shane S — 21 Jul 2010

Not exactly the hard-R black comedy laughfest everybody tends to make this film into, Jim Jarmusch's breakthrough absurdist comedy this side of Woody Allen post-Love and Death proves itself to be a refreshing take of cinematography, friendship, money, and American satire even in this modern era of comedies that promise you laugh after laugh. However, unlike the films of the semi-talented Todd Phillips, you have to use what directors like Allen and Wes Anderson taught you and try to find the humor yourself. You will succeed. This isn't a pretentious indie comedy - you will laugh. I promise you that.

So, this film is about a Hungarian-American, Bela/Willie, who has to babysit his cousin Eva much to his chagrin. They eventually grow on each other and soon, after a year apart, decide to get back together for a trip to Cleveland and Florida, where pretty much all laid back hell breaks loose (complete with a deus ex machima to save the day) and they find themselves in different places.

This is one of the only R-rated features that I would suggest to people that are as young as 12. The language is not extreme as most R-rated comedies: there's probably 7-9 f-bombs, none used sexually, and very minimal use of other swears. No sex or violence is present in the film - so, hey. At least you can take you kids to see this and not, like, a Pedro Almodovar feature.

Your kids might not know where the comedy is, but if they're disillusioned with Disaster Movie and find solace in Fantastic Mr. Fox, then this film is right for them.

Definitely stands out on its own as a perfect film.