Show Me Your Fangs!- „Only Lovers Left Alive”
I think that “Only Lover Left Alive” is probably the most beautiful Jarmusch movie.
Jim Jarmusch is a great artist. I have already fallen on the first frames: I let myself be seduced completely and for two hours I forgot to breathe. This mesmerizingly beautiful, seasoned in addition to over-perfect music, the film is as tasteful and pampered as Jarmusch can do. Every detail matters here, every scene is full of games with viewers and references: the names of music stars, old songs and instruments, book covers and city stories intertwine in the portrait of a microcosm suspended somewhere in the eternity, as if every second spanned many years and vice versa, as if every decade passed in the blink of an eye. Out of all the attributes of vampires, Jarmusch chose what fascinated him most: eternity, continuity of history, culture as a cause and effect sequence, and music that sets the tone of history.
Thoughts on blood are more of a joke here, which is clearly seen in the scene in which Tom Hiddleston and Tilda Swinton, i.e. Adam and Eve, consume bloody ice on a stick or when Adam acquires blood from a corrupt doctor. This subtle, situational humor unloads the burden of the story and its inspired tone, stating that eternity isn’t just a century-old dressing gown and memories of Shakespeare, but also the minor pleasures of the day (or rather: the night's night) and all those activities that serve to sustain existence.
Vampires have always had style but with Jarmusch they go through themselves: a storm of tangled blond hair, a leather jacket thrown over a bare body, narrow trouser legs tucked into motorcycle boots, bathrobes, dark glasses and of course inadequate gloves make Adam and Eve they look like rock stars. There is no grudge or pose- the unforgivable nonchalance with which Tilda Swinton wears both white leather jacket or an oriental, embroidered gold robe, she throws as always on knees. Hiddlestone, who is a very good actor who cooperates with her, warms up in this light and undeniably thrives: it is probably his most important and the best role so far, and let there be more of it.
Due to the unhurried pace and basically residual action "Only Lover Left Alive” will probably disappoint those who prefer a more dynamic narrative. None of this: long conversations about life, death and music during car rides and during lazy relying on the couch are here the axis of the whole story and the main dynamizing factor, the appearance of Ava, becomes basically an unnecessary element of this story. The film wouldn’t have lost much if Mia Wasikowska didn’t show up at all, which is quite typical for films with Mia Wasikowska. Although a movie is signed as a horror in movie portals, don’t be fooled: it's a dark, tasteful drama with existential dilemmas in the background; it doesn’t terrify, it’s delights and makes melancholy, goes into depression and suicidal considerations - all in order to remind in the finale how strong is in nature the will to survive, no matter how long you walk in this world.
For dessert: divine Yasmine Hamdan.