Back in November, I was lucky enough to assist to a screening of Only Lovers Left Alive in the presence of the director Jim Jarmusch. It’s always interesting to see who is the man or woman behind the camera, and Jarmusch is a very interesting director with a world of his own. He didn’t stay long, but he did happen to list every French person he happened to work with on this movie (and surprisingly, it was a very long list!).
I went to see Only Lovers Left Alive mainly for the cast, including the wonderful Tom Hiddleston and Tilda Swinton, and I didn’t know anything about the story. I don’t want to see trailers anymore because they spoil the fun. In a way, I guess it was a good thing because I was hooked and enchanted from beginning to end.
Only Lovers Left Alive is a vampire story without being a vampire story. We follow Adam and Eve, two vampires as old as the world, who gets reunited after many years being apart and who try to live their immortal lives in an ever-changing world.
There is no box where this movie would fit, as it is unique, much like most of Jarmusch filmography. It is a joy to watch. The work on colors and lights, especially with black and white, is simply beautiful. It becomes a theme repeated throughout the movie, mostly represented by the two main characters.
Speaking of them, Adam and Eve are complete opposites: He is a depressed and a borderline suicidal musician living in the darkest corner of Detroit, and she loves the beauty of the world while living in the steamy nights of Tangier in Morocco. That difference is what makes them so complementary: They are the perfect figures of the Ying and Yang, the light and the darkness. Seeing them together feels right. Hiddleston and Swinton are wonderful and very well cast. My love for them only grows stronger movies after movies.
In addition to being aesthetically pleasing, there is a historical aspect to Only Lovers Left Alive. We are told of the history of science, art, and music through memories and stories. Jarmusch, being a musician himself, produced a soundtrack that is a delight for the ears. The score was composed by Jarmusch’s Band, Sqürl, collaborating with other musicians from all over the world. Towards the end, there is a gorgeous piece of music featuring the singer Yasmine Hamdan, that you should definitely check out! Music has always been a big part in Jarmusch’s work, and each time it is perfect and helps set a very special atmosphere as well as magnify the imagery of the film.
Jarmusch proves that you don’t need to create extraordinary stories with huge action scenes to make a beautiful, culturally rich and meaningful movie. They are vampires, yes, but it is not focused on that. It is truly about two timeless beings loving each other in a dreadful world. Nothing really happens, it is very simple and there isn’t a big battle with werewolves and wizards (like in most vampires flick these days).
You just have to appreciate the beauty of it all, the historical meaning behind each story, the wonderful music, and the delightful sight that Only Lovers Left Alive brings to life. It is definitely a must see.
Rating: 5/5
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