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Writer's pictureJames Rutherford

'Paterson': Jim Jarmusch's Whimsical and Sublimely Poetic Ode to Day-to-Day Existence


Movie poster for the film Paterson starring Adam Driver and Golshifteh Farahani

“Paterson” (2016) is a light-hearted, idiosyncratic story about a bus driver and amateur poet named Paterson (Adam Driver), residing quietly with his young wife, Laura (Golshifteh Farahani), in the city of Paterson, New Jersey.


It’s a slice-of-life depiction of one man’s daily routines over the course of a single week, as he drives his bus along his route, observing the world, listening in on quaint (and often humorous) conversations and quietly drafting poetry in homage to his poet hero, William Carlos Williams.


Written and directed by indie stalwart Jim Jarmusch, "Paterson" is relatively light on plot and the pacing is gradual, yet the poetic theme of the story slowly grows under your skin as it ebbs along, finding moments of insight, humor and inspiration within the grind of day-to-day existence. A nice addition to Jarmusch’s oeuvre, “Paterson” is the type of film that’s just right when you’re in just the right mood for it.

 

View the trailer:


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