Paterson (Jim Jarmusch, 2016): USA

Reviewed by Tilda Sorvari. Viewed at AFI Film fest 2016.

Paterson is a funny and easy going comedy/drama written and directed by Jim Jarmusch, who dreamed about being a philosopher long before becoming a famous director. In this movie he is both. Jim Jarmusch graduated 75′ from Columbia University with a bachelor’s degree in English and he has since then been rewarded multiple times for his creative work in the movie business.

Paterson played by Adam Driver works as a bus driver in Paterson, New Jersey. He lives with his artistic and dreamy wife Laura played by Golshifteh Farahani. These two are like night and day. Paterson has a nine-five job, is very structured and never steps outside of his comfort zone, at least not on purpose. Meanwhile Laura wants to try everything there is to try, opening up a café, becoming a country singer and artist is just to name a few of her dreams. She wants to do it all and is very impulsive. The audience get to follow this couple Monday thru Sunday in their daily life. Paterson wakes up, goes to work, eats the packed lunch Laura prepares for him while writing poetry, comes back home and eats dinner, takes the dog for a walk to the bar where there’s a couple arguing every night and then goes back home to sleep. This is what happens everyday but with a small change of events that inspires Paterson to write more poetry.

This movie is realistic with a bit of fantasy and surrealism. The audience get to hear Paterson’s voice while his poetry is scrolling across the screen and we see patterns i every scene. I like how black and white it is, that Paterson always wears a blue shirt with squares on it and that Laura wears circles and odd patterns like swirls a little here and there together with mixed matched clothing pieces. There is a lot of jump cuts, but the movie maintains a sense of continuity which makes it easy for the viewer to follow along with the story.

If you like to watch movies that are easy going and don’t get your brain overheated than this one’s for you. Paterson will be out in theaters on December 28th. It will most likely bring out a good laugh! If you’re a dog lover then go to see Paterson for the amazing english bulldog Nellie that won the Palm Dog award at Cannes film festival 2016.