Only Lovers Left Alive: The Promise Of Things Yet To Come

It is not too often that I am actually excited about an upcoming film, there may be the odd film that catches my eye or grabs my attention when I watch the previews of forthcoming films in the cinema before the actual movie begins but it is very rare that I feel I cannot wait until this film is released. Not since the Harry Potter films ended have I felt such an anticipation for a new film like I have with Only Lovers Left Alive (worldwide release on December 5th). This has much to do with the director behind it, Jim Jarmusch is perhaps for me one of the best directors around today largely because while his later films may be a little more conventional than his earlier films they still retain a independent streak such as the slow pace, use of silence and lack of action. This is a great antidote to some of those Hollywood films where there is plenty of epic battles and explosions (a number of buildings will fall down at some point) oh and the guy gets the girl. Jarmusch has been consistently making really good films since the early 80's, what really interests me about his films is the way he takes a genre and deconstructs and transforms it to suit his style. He has from his very first feature film Permanent Vacation shown an interest in outsiders, people who don't really belong in society so it is no surprise that he is taking on Vampires for his new film.

There is no reason to suggest that Only Lovers Left Alive is going to be any different in terms of quality from his previous films in fact the initial reviews from it's premiere at the Cannes Film Festival seem to suggest it is one of his best in recent years. At the moment only one trailer exists for the film and to be honest it reveals bugger all about the film however this could be a good thing as far too many trailers ruin the surprise of their films (unless it is the one for Titanic as you know the boat sinks at the end). The enigmatic trailer does keep you guessing and leaves you still anticipating the film as much as you did before you watched the trailer.



One of the great strengths Jarmusch has is his casting from Tom Waits and Roberto Benigni in Down By Law to Bill Murray in Broken Flowers. In Only Lovers Left Alive we have Tilda Swinton as Eve, Tilda Swinton is a brilliant choice in my opinion, her previous experience in independent spirited projects make her well suited to Only Lovers Left Alive. From what I can tell she is set to have a more prominent role in Only Lovers Left Alive than she has had in her previous collaborations with Jarmusch. Her co-star in the film is Tom Hiddleston as Adam, I have only seen him in The Avengers before where I thought he had one of the better characters to play in the film as Loki the adoptive brother and nemesis of Thor. From the little bit I have seen from the trailer I think he is a fine choice for the role, probably better than the first choice Michael Fassbender would have been.

The general plot of the film is that Adam and Eve are two vampires that have been alive for centuries. Adam is a reclusive rock musician who is also depressed (are there any happy Vampires out there?) Eve is his long term (very long term) lover. Adam likes to wander around Detroit (recently declared bankrupt after this film was made) bemoaning the state of the world caused by humans or as he calls them Zombies. He asks Eve to come see him after she has had some time away from him, she does so and they reflect on the changing world and their lives together. It doesn't sound the most compelling of plots but one thing can be sure with Jim Jarmusch is that he will make it interesting. Hopefully there will be his usual deadpan humour that has served him so well in the past and makes up for the lack of action. It will be interesting to see his take on the Vampire genre and one thing can be for sure is that it won't be Twilight territory.

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