Blu-ray Review: Adam Driver Excels In Jim Jarmusch’s PATERSON

Jim Jarmusch’s Paterson is a wonderfully composed, low-key piece of film-making. It draws you into its greatness, softly lulling you into a sense of comfort and relaxation. On a narrative level it’s simple, following a week in the life of a Bus Driver/Poet called Patterson (Adam Driver), who happens to live in the town of Paterson, New Jersey.

Jarmusch excels at delivering heart-felt reality in Paterson. There’s nothing flashy going on and Jarmusch doesn’t over-complicate the piece. He scored an ace-in-the-hole by casting Adam Driver, who is great as Paterson. Driver is able to deliver soft moments of comedy and drama, perfectly balancing his performance with the film’s tone. Driver is becoming something of a Movies In Focus favourite having done sterling acting in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, While We’re Young and now Paterson. This might just be his best performance yet. It must also be noted that Golshifteh Farahani does good work as his quirky wife, who wants to be a country music star and a cupcake supremo – talk about having goals!

Paterson is a small film which doesn’t rely on theatrics, tension or expensive special effects. Jarmusch’s independent sensibility is the only vision to deliver this well-crafted piece. He doesn’t worry about audiences or box office, he only cares about making what he wants to make. This is a comedy without laughs and a drama without drama – it’s very real. Patterson has a well-balance tone and a note-perfect performance from Adam Driver. This is a little movie that needs to be seen by people who want to be lulled into great movie-making.

Special Features

Paterson comes with an interesting Q&A session with Adam Driver. It’s a great piece that looks at his though process and understanding of the film.