Rated R, 122 minutes
"Only Lovers Left Alive" is Jarmush's droll, arresting take vampires
Jim Jarmusch, independent filmmaker of such films as "Ghost Dog," "Coffee and Cigarettes" and "Broken Flowers" is certainly an acquired taste, and his intriguing, well-acted new vampire film "Only Lovers Left Alive" is no different than many of his other films: visually sublime but slow-paced and talky. Still, Jarmusch has some interesting ideas about vampires that's worth a look. Tom Hiddleston is Adam, a reclusive, depressed and wealthy musician living in Detroit. Tilda Swinton is his somber wife Eve, who lives in Tangiers. They each survive by living on blood on suppliers, Adam from a blood bank, Eve from a fellow, elder vampire named Marlowe (John Hurt), who supposedly wrote most of Shakespeare's plays. The idyllic couple reunites but their modern world is upended by Eve's younger, uncontrollable sister (Mia Wasikowska). "Only Lovers Left Alives" is a visually absorbing, droll drama with excellent performances by an inspired cast that keep the slow-moving film alive. Oscar-winner Swinton has always been a bit of an oddity but with flowing robes and teased blonde hair she fits perfectly in here, and Hiddleston's low-key turn may make you forget anything related to Thor or Loki, though both are upstaged by Wasikowska's energy. Jarmusch's original screenplay has some nice, unique touches that you have to watch closely for, such as Adam's inventions or Marlowe's contributions to Shakespeare's work, not to mention that humans are (a little confusingly) referred to as "zombies." If it weren't for the cast, this vampire drama might suck more, but thanks to Jarmusch's inventive direction and screenplay, this is worth seeing, just know it often feels slower than molasses.
Wes's Grade: B-
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