Paterson
I just rewatched one of my favorite movies. It is about a guy who drives a bus in Paterson, New Jersey. That guy, a man named Paterson, is brilliantly played by Adam Driver.
This is not going to be a review of the movie. There are lots of those out there, and they are nearly 100% positive. The film was well-received by almost anyone who bothered to see it. It is a terrific piece of work; I highly recommend it.
I have written several times about my favorite filmmaker, Wes Anderson. This film is not by Anderson; the genius behind it is Ohio’s own Jim Jarmusch. He is an interesting man with unusual artistic vision. How many people can you think of that would want to tell the story of a poet who spends his days driving a bus? It is certainly not a mainstream Hollywood film. I have been known to watch a Hollywood blockbuster or two, but I much prefer the offbeat films of people like Anderson and Jarmusch. They both are world-class storytellers.
Jarmusch both wrote and directed Paterson. The movie is deeply moving. For me, it has several points to make about the rigors of day-to-day existence that most of us are faced with. The drudgery of the daily routine, the need for hope, and the source of inspiration. My guess is that ten viewers could attribute eight or nine different central themes to the film.
If you love poetry, watch Paterson. If you do not care much for poetry (I have never been a big fan), watch Paterson. The film has lots to offer. It is a masterclass in storytelling.
