ONLY LOVERS LEFT ALIVE (2013)

Waking Dead

Revitalised

Zombie Culture

Title: Only Lovers Left Alive
Year: 2013
Director: Jim Jarmusch
Format: Blu-ray
Label: Soda Pictures

Notes: I'm a film fan not a critic and the writing on this blog is rarely going to reflect an objectively critical point of view. I'm a fan of Jim Jarmusch's films and not just for their purely cinematic quality - they tend to feature themes and musicians I have an interest in. Jim Jarmusch's ties with the sadly departed music festival All Tomorrow's Parties are another affinity I have with him. In summary, I like his films and ONLY LOVERS LEFT ALIVE is another Jarmusch film I find enjoyable despite a few flaws that don't really upset me.

Having said that, this offbeat take on the vampire film is a bit silly although the secret history and the plethora of cultural references presented are enjoyable enough. The human world is presented as a barren wasteland populated by 'zombies' which seems to be code for uncultured and unsophisticated. The empty and decaying city of Detroit is a vivid location for the zombie world. The obligatory night-time photography (they are vampires!) looks great. The scenes in Tangier are more vibrant and the human activity shown offers a contrast to Detroit that complicates the vampire take on things nicely.

Despite the somewhat silly premise the leads playing vampires generally turn in good performances. They interact with others in weird ways and have a persistent awkwardness. The vampire look - romantic, long-haired, cool - is striking, although perhaps too hip for some tastes. No one is too hammy although some of the black humour misfires.

Perhaps my favourite aspect of the film is the soundtrack from Jarmusch's SQÜRL and Jozef van Wissem. The music fits perfectly and as noted above, this makes it very easy for me to enjoy the film.