Jim Jarmuschās understated, idiosyncratic portrait of small-town values in Paterson is aĀ comatose, endearing siren. Luring viewers into a mindset of tranquility with safety andĀ americana while all sorts of unseen horrors unfurl around them. Jarmusch carefully reconstructsĀ the economical and social status consciousness driving Western civilization andĀ likens it to a state of anesthesia awareness, utilizing the very philosophy that inspired it; foolingĀ the masses into thinking that within routine dwells fulfillment.
On the surface, everything about Paterson (Adam Driver) is unexceptional. Just anĀ average, homegrown American boy with the wool fully draped over his eyes. HeĀ represents the very bane of mankind, though. Living out his days, unwillingly content with a nine-to- fiveĀ job, a disobedient pug and a lovely stay-at-home wife who keeps herself pre-occupied withĀ busywork and arts and crafts projects whilst her husband is off at work, until it’s time to getĀ dinner started – whichāll promptly be ready upon her loverās arrival.
Paterson drives a local bus route during the week and apart from the odd story or twoĀ and straightening his mailbox, his days rarely stray from ordinary. However, Paterson does carryĀ a unique passion, though it’s a rather timid pastime. Nevertheless, his affinity for writing and readingĀ poetry is a scalding flame, visible for miles. Of course, like most people, Patersonās legitimateĀ creative aspirations rest noiselessly on the back burner as he stoically anticipates that theyāllĀ simmer, boil and splash alongside the pot and put an end to the mundanity that has become hisĀ life, ultimately leaving his mark on mankindās history.
Thereās no question that Paterson is the breadwinner at home and if not for herĀ emotionally and financially supportive husband, Patersonās lovely wife Laura (GolshiftehĀ Farahani) and her almost hourly escapades would go unfunded, both in time and money. ThatāsĀ not to say she isnāt contributing something to the relationship, what with her endless moralĀ support, love, and daily decorative shenanigans that Paterson looks forward to halfheartedlyĀ boasting upon returning home each day.
Still, to be brash, selling a few dozen cupcakes on theĀ weekend and strewing a few paint streaks across the living room curtains isnāt paying the bills orĀ helping Paterson cope with his ever-creeping depression. That said, his wifeās unwavering,Ā unceasing faith could very well be the only reason Paterson hasnāt put a bullet in his head,ā¦butĀ hey, we all need a rock.
Patersonās poems are bestrewed across the screen correspondingly as he scribbles themĀ down while sitting in the busās driver seat, silently cursing the arrival of his shift. All whilst underneathĀ this long-suffering exterior thereās a storm brewing, brought on by unprecedented repressionĀ and an inventive eagerness thatās desperately craving to erratically burst forth. These poems,Ā and their slightly off-kilter lettering, act like a smokescreen, masking the honestly dreary natureĀ in every simple, yet achingly harsh and beautiful word.
Patersonās poetry maybe comprised ofĀ trivial objects, uninspired observations and romantic inclinations spun in a quirky, almostĀ humorous light, but these interpretations are immensely gorgeous and utterly disarming. YouĀ know what they say about still watersā¦
The world we inhabit continuously expels beauty, even if we choose not to notice it.Ā Jarmusch does a spectacular job depicting the ironic, humdrum loveliness in everyday life, soĀ much so that as the minutes tick by, we completely dismiss it to a point of almost missing it,Ā which I think mustāve been his end goal. Whether itās Paterson trying to stomach whateverĀ bizarre concoction his wife has threw together for supper, Everettās (William Jackson Harper)Ā charming, maniacal prowess for grandiose love and grand gestures, or Marvinās (the pug)Ā numerous snicker-worthy reactions (used a little too frequently) to eye-rolling moments,Ā Jarmuschās Paterson, despite being a rather dispiriting picture, fundamentally conveys aĀ message of finding gratification and meaning in existenceās simplicities. You know, stop to smellĀ the roses and all that nonsense.
As for Paterson himself, Adam Driverās monotonous, largely reactive turn is one notĀ soon to be forgotten. This is a performance wherein the most satisfying moments lie in theĀ subtleties. Whatās most remarkable about Driverās acting here is his ability to impart countlessĀ emotional shifts without using physicality.Ā Visually, these complex feelings and beliefs are simplyĀ not there. Screaming to get out, Driver keeps everything bottled up, yet is somehow able toĀ imply and forcibly extract these emotions not only from himself, but from the viewer. It all culminatesĀ in an incredible earnest and empathetic performance from Driver, a career best that cements him as one of the most exciting young actors in Hollywood at the moment.