Jim Jarmusch depicts a week in the life of New Jersey bus driver, Paterson (Adam Driver). Paterson shares his philosophical thoughts and observations of his home town, through poetry. He thrives on a life founded upon ritual and pattern. Every morning, waking up between 6:00-6:30am relying on his natural body clock. Paterson drives the number 23 bus everyday, in his coincidentally named birthplace – Paterson, New Jersey.
Paterson lives with his beautiful girlfriend Laura (Golshifteh Farahani), a genuine and creative being. Laura has an obsession with the black and white colour scheme, which is shown throughout the decor of the house and Laura’s clothes. She delves into crafts and new passions on a daily basis, baking black and white cupcakes one day and hoping to be a country star the next. Laura’s character is truly unique, she has a positive persona, willing to try anything new, this comes across as naive in parts of the film. As an example, Laura truly believes that she will become a famous country singer, with no prior experience as a singer or guitarist.
Jarmusch has chosen to leave out dramas in the town of Paterson and in his life, Paterson and Laura share no conflict in their relationship, nor does Paterson get excessively drunk at the bar. This depicts that Paterson’s life is balanced and stable, yet numbing. Jarmusch directs this film with such skill so that even though there are no Hollywood style dramas the film, is still engaging and appealing.
The repetitive nature of Paterson can seem dull, at first, as a result of the fact that Paterson’s life does not reshape or change at any point in the film. However, as the days of one ordinary week roll on, the small details seem to become important and have a charming beauty of their own. My particular favourite was near the end of the film, where a Japanese tourist sits down and talks to Paterson at the Waterfalls, his favourite place. This tourist visited Paterson to experience the scenery of the birthplace of his favourite poet William Carlos Williams, also Paterson’s favourite poet. After Paterson’s notebook of poems was chewed to pieces by his bulldog, Marvin, he was quietly devastated. This was until the tourist had brought Paterson the new start he needed, a beautifully decorated Japanese notebook.
Paterson lives a reserved and private life behind his innocent and caring façade. He listens to fragments of conversation during his daily journeys on the number 23 bus. Some including conversations of youth, they talk about anarchy and the jailed boxer, Reuben “Hurricane” Carter. The views and perspectives of his passengers interest and inspire Paterson’s poetry.
I thought that it was quite interesting how Paterson lives a life of monotony and chooses to isolate himself from his context, even to the extent of not having a mobile phone.
Paterson is filled with irony, humour and the heartwarming story of innocent natured bus driver, Paterson. This film has lovely appeal and searches for true meaning in everyday life.
Paterson opens on the 22 December 2016
