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esteeb.art · @esteeb.art@bridge.neodb.net

Rated Paterson 9/10

<b>LSC Week 3: Nicecore Week<b> How did I not know this was a Jarmusch movie? It's hard to talk about a movies where "nothing happens" isn't it? Because it's difficult to articulate why you enjoyed yourself. On paper, it doesn't sound all that fun: a guy works as a bus driver and writes poetry and we just kind of follow him and his dog around. It's right up there with "elderly couple visit their children in Tokyo" and "a lady does chores". Doesn't sound like there's a lot of <i>there<i> there, yeah? I'm being super reductive, but the point is that a lot of the time these movies are the ones that stick with you the most. Because in examining the mundane, the stuff of everyday life, is the closest film can get to poetry. <i>Paterson<i> is an embodiment and celebration of that poetry. What sticks out here though is that for once it's a movie like this that isn't trying to punch you in the gut. This film is the very definition of "quiet dignity". Just looking at the world and the people in its quiet places. Getting invested in their everyday magic, absurdity, drama, romance, and heartbreak. What I appreciated about <i>Paterson<i> is that it doesn't feel like the sort of cultural anthropology piece these movies can sometimes feel like. You know that sort of examining everyday people like they are quaint oddity to be wondered at, if not pitied, or romanticizing them in a way that makes you nostalgic for simpler times. Jarmusch does a little of that here, but it's in service to one of the most interesting movie bait and switch I've ever seen. I won't spoil it, but the way he's able to judo this piece from nostalgic to aspirational is nothing short of genius. This is already too long so I'll end by saying this movie was just nice. I liked Paterson. I liked his silly wife. I liked his bus route and his bar and his stupid dog. It was a pleasant way to spend some time and be reminded that art is created first and foremost by the churn of every day boring life. Just a treat. I don't know if it was for everyone but I had fun. Especially, after putting myself through the wringer the last couple of weeks this was a welcome reprieve. Now I want to read some poetry.

#lsc10 #lsc10 week3 #movie

Published 2024-09-23 00:00 UTC · bridged from Atmosphere