Review of The Limits of Control (2009) by Luke E — 26 Nov 2013
Jim Jarmusch is a journeyman. He's a major blind spot for me (I've seen only this, "Broken Flowers" and "Dead Man") but judging by the works of his I am versed in, he deserves to be ranked among the greats. Is "The Limits of Control" his masterpiece? Nah; "Dead Man" takes that title. Doesn't mean I don't think it's totes perfect. "Limits" is sort of like Jarmusch's watered-down version of a Wachowski movie -- he wants you to notice patterns in the narrative, symbols in his characters, to "use your imagination", as someone early on advises our oft-silent criminal protagonist (played with utmost patience and loftiness by Jarmusch frequenter Isaach De Bankolé, whose large, stern features guide the movie's lush, slow-baked pace.) Jarmusch has such a fondness and openness for characters of different cultures and ethnicity. "Limits" would crash and burn if he were at any point demeaning.
Plus freaking Boris did the soundtrack.
Would make an awesome double billing with "Holy Motors".
Let's go "Only Lovers Left Alive".
This review of The Limits of Control (2009) was written by Luke E on 26 Nov 2013.
The Limits of Control has generally received mixed reviews.
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