Review of Stranger Than Paradise (1984) by Ryan G — 31 May 2009

This quirky little film is hilarious in the most unconventional way; long awkward silences litter scenes where nothing seems to be happening while the characters represent the epitome of average. The irony, however, is that Eva, Willie and Eddie are more honest representations of ordinary people than the polished heroes we're used to seeing in mainstream movies.

In fact, this entire film is very accurate of average days where nothing special happens, and the minimal score only adds to the realism. But Stranger Than Paradise is far from uneventful and it's not until the end that its objective becomes clear: the discovery of one's roots.

Eva, an immigrant, is the catalyst which forces Willie to acknowledge his Hungarian heritage and even get back in touch with forgotten relatives, she is also the reason that Eddie finally travels outside of New York to experience firsthand the states he's only heard about.

Jarmusch incorporates obvious cuts to black at the end of each scene as if he's treating the viewer to a series of snapshots (or moving photographs, if you will) of these people which just happen to capture a particular part of their day.

Form also compliments content here as throughout the film either one or all the characters are in the process of travel, and what's the normal thing to do when travelling? Why, take photographs, of course.

Welcome to comedy Jim Jarmusch style.