Only Lovers Left Alive
I knew this film was going to be cool when the vampires used FaceTime, ate blood popsickles and composed awesome music. I bet Bella and Edward did not even think of such cool things. Team Adam+Eve 1 , Team Bella+Edward 0. Oh yeah, in case some of you have no idea who Bella and Edward are (where have you been if you don’t?), they are from Twilight. Yes, I am slightly ashamed to not only have watched it but also read it. But more so I feel kind of bad of comparing this rather beautiful film to a teenage vampire story where one of the lines was “Your scent. It’s like a drug to me” (I can’t believe I actually thought this line was cute). I am however happy to announce that my obsession with Twilight, and in particular, Robert Pattinson, has like almost vanished now. Ish.
Anyway, Only Lovers Left Alive, is a vampire story about Adam and Eve (no not that Adam and Eve but pretty certain there was some intentional meaning to it), two vampires living in the modern world, fighting for their survival. Basically, their survival depends on the blood supply and quality. Apparently modern day humans can sometimes have contaminated blood. So, they have to make sure it’s “the good stuff” (whatever that means).
Jim Jarmusch’s romance drama is essentially a vampire love story. Don’t worry it is not at all teen like. And the vampires? Well they are not the kind you would expect. Not the kind we are used to nowadays, not the commercialised almost Barbie like vampires we are presented with, in the likes of Vampire Diaries or Twilight. No no no. They are not shiny, they are not in-your-face beautiful (although saying that, I think I have developed a huge crush on Tom Hiddleston) and they don’t use their superpowers in such an exaggerated manner. In fact I am not even sure of the extent of their powers. They are complex, eloquent, and philosophical - they are vampire intellectuals. Their “superiority” over the human race is their objectivity, their ability to see societal flaws. What I liked the most about the film, is the way in which Jarmusch has used the characters as a medium to comment on society.
For a vampire film , I was surprised to be more engrossed in the dialogue and the didactic aspect of it more so than the “vampire” element . Perhaps I was reading too much into it, but I couldn’t help but feel touched by these vampires’ analysis of humans. In a really strange way, I felt that these “marginalised” members of society could see us in a way we don’t see ourselves. In the film they actually refer to humans as zombies. I found that ironic as humans are living beings, but perhaps they meant that emotionally, politically and intellectually humans are zombies. Perhaps they meant that as a society we are unable to appreciate what is good and what is special; a society that is too self-obsessed and in consequence, self-destructive. Adam (Tom Hiddleston), actually says that by the time that we, the humans, realise what we have done or what we could do, it is already too late. So this is one of the elements I thought were the strongest about the film: the moralistic and philosophical nature. Paradoxically, at times, the intellectual discourse between the characters did come across as pretentious and perhaps as trying too hard. But thankfully this did not happen too much.
The storyline is actually not the most exciting one, but don’t let that put you off. It’s not action filled or you know, what you may expect of a vampire film. Despite the fact that nothing particularly major happens, the film’s subjects are very much interesting – it is the protagonists and their love that bears the weight of the film.
Production design and the use of colour was a very significant aspect of the film, and one, which I thought was extremely well done. Clearly much attention was invested into the finer details, which achieved a very impressive and effective style. If you are a nostalgic or enjoy antiques then you would like the film for this aspect, as it has a large display of antique objects.
Music plays a crucial role in the film. It reflects the mood so perfectly; it echoes a sense of darkness, cynicism and dejection yet it is strangely romantic at the same time. It reflects the mood and the characters of the film perfectly. It becomes, in its own right, a character within then film, if not just an important theme.
Adam and his wife, Eve (Tilda Swinton) are, as I already have mentioned, the drive of this film. Both are different, yet so alike at the same time, they are the perfect couple. They complete each other and their symbiotic relationship further makes their love story more appealing and touching. Adam is, rather oddly for a vampire, a deeply sensitive, sinister, self-questioning soul with a philosophical outlook on life and humans and erm slight suicidal tendencies. He is also a creative; it is his character that promotes the importance and yearning for music. Eve is passionate, mature, confident and romantic. Out of the two, she takes the lead. Sometimes it felt like she was the much older and wiser of the two. And in an Oedipus-complex like essence, she sorts of mothers him. But, you know that thought aside, they portray a rather passionate and strong relationship.
They both also reinforce a nostalgic notion, this yearning for the past. Eve can actually touch objects and identify the year in which they were made, she is like you know a super professional antique expert. The two are sort of stuck in a limbo between hatred and love towards the way the world has changed. They are nostalgic of artists, poets, scientists but rather enjoy the way the world is now. For some odd reason it made me think of Woody Allen’s Midnight In Paris simply for the nostalgic aspect and the rather conceited attitude that the past was more glorious, less superficial and more passionate. Anyway, whilst the film centres around these two lovers there are a few other supporting actors that give the film a bit more depth and breaks the monotony from you know just watching them love each other and feed on blood. Feeding! Yes, I wanted to talk about this, because I found that the way in which they fed was not in the normal aggressive way most vampires seem to suck/drink/eat blood (I realise with time that I sound a bit like a creep who thinks about vampires a a lot). But, anyway, the way they fed was actually romanticised and poetic; they reach an ecstasy doing so. In a way I found it rather uneasy watching them experience this, but then I thought of you know things in life that make you reach that similar form of ecstasy and pleasure. I am of course talking about chocolate, what else? I also found it interesting that they actually try as hard as they can to not feed directly from the human’s physical body (as in you know no direct bite) and that it was a normal thing for them, rather than a sacrifice. You know all these other vampires just bitch about how it is not the same if not directly from vein (yep, I definitely watch too many vampire related shows). I guess they are elegant and moral. Well if vampires were ever to be described like that.
As a whole, I rather enjoyed the film and I think it is an interesting interpretation of this obsession we seem to have with the supernatural. It is didactic, touching and subtle. I mean, they don’t even mention the word vampire, not even once (I think).
The title of the film Only Lovers Left Alive, pretty much engulfs the film’s main message. I mean, what is it that makes them so eager to fight for survival? They have lived for centuries, experienced things, seen so much and met so many. Why? What is their reason for this? The simple answer? Well, duh. For love.
Thanks , sorry if it was a bit long. I got carried away.
Lots of love to you all.
Esxxx