Jim Jarmusch's Paterson is a quietly vibrant, beautifully realized examination of the truly paramount nature of creative expression, a film that is nuanced in its approach but assured in its execution, quietly delivering an astute study of what defines an artist. Set in the city of Paterson, New Jersey, Jim Jarmusch's film chronicles the day-to-day life of Paterson, a bus driver, who adheres to a simple routine. His life is one of monotony, driving the same daily bus route and walking the same dog every night, stopping by the same bar to have exactly one beer, then returning home to his wife, Laura. What gives this man vibrance is also a part of his daily routine, as Paterson writes poetry nearly every chance he gets, whether it be during his lunch break or buried away in the basement when he has time at home to himself. His wife, Laura, is also a character who is infatuated with expressing herself, but her way of doing so is often changing, fixated more on the notion of being remembered or appreciated than Paterson himself appears to be. It's the contrast between these two characters in which Jaramusch's film creates its most salient point about art, touching on how it is first and foremost a very individualistic endeavor, one that comes deep from within, with its connection to others being secondary, as all of humanity often shares the same types of emotional complexities. The film doesn't wish to vilify Paterson's girlfriend Laura for her sporadic, every changing ways of expressing herself, but Jarmusch certainly pokes fun at this character, being a woman whose expressive personality is unfocused, fixated on the wrong ideals, yet still vibrant and alive. One could even make the argument that Jarmusch, in teasing this character, is making a point about artistic expression being a personal endeavor, with her flimsy, sporadic forays into artistry not being deeply profound or meaningful, yet they give her vibrancy and life, as she herself finds her own way of expressing herself in a way she sees fit for her. Paterson as a character is so beautifully defined, a man whose inner-workings aren't always accessible to the viewer, and yet his observant eye towards everyone around him speaks volumes about the type of man he is. Always looking around him, Paterson is a character who draws from his environment to fuel his own form of individualistic expression, with the conversations he eavesdrops serving his own work. Jim Jarmusch's film is built around this ideal that art is the great equalizer, with personal expression being something that keeps this character vibrant, happy, and alive, despite his rather mundane existence. When an unexpected event occurs involving Paterson's notebook, the film features one of the most emotionally devastating moments in cinema this year, yet it's only temporary, as the film uses this tragedy to further dissect the importance of artistic expression. The destruction of Paterson's notebook serves as a symbolic representation of art being a deeply personal thing, while tragic at first, it signifies how while his wife's vision of "fame" and "shared expression" is shattered, at least momentarily, yet the written words are simply a materialistic manifestation of Paterson's expression, something that can be replaced eventually due to the fact that his true creativity and artistic expression can never be extinguished as long as his heart keeps beating. Through Paterson's simple, yet profound journey, Jim Jarmusch beautifully expresses how one's profession, how they make their living, has nothing to do with what defines them as a human being, creating a powerful and beautifully realized portrait of how our own forms of expression, often artistically, is what defines our true worth as individuals.
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AuthorLove of all things cinema brought me here. Archives
June 2023
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