Paterson

Paterson is a gem of a film directed by acclaimed independent film director Jim Jarmusch, released in 2016. The film features Adam Driver, notable for his roles in the Star Wars franchise and Blackkklansman, as the eponymous character Paterson. He shares the screen with Iranian actress Golshifteh Farahani, known for her work in About Elly and Body of Lies, who portrays Laura, Paterson’s creative, domestic partner. Nellie, the endearing English bulldog, plays Marvin, the couple's pet, which adds an unexpected amount of life and depth to the story as a quirky, connective piece between the differing lives of Paterson and Laura.

The film’s narrative is deceptively simple, almost mundane in approach to its subject matter. Paterson works as a bus driver in the city of Paterson, New Jersey - yes, the film has a predilection for poetic repetitions - this is how it is structured and paced. To call Paterson a bus-driver, however, doesn't fully capture the essence of his character. Unseen by most others, Paterson leads an artistic life, capturing his thought waves in the form of poetic verses, whenever he steals a moment or two from his rhythical daily life. But these poems aren’t just floating thoughts, they are fully realized, tangible entities, scrawled meticulously in Paterson's “secret notebook.”

Around this motif of poetry, Jarmusch weaves the film's narrative, and it follows Paterson’s life throughout one week. Jarmusch’s camera captures every rise and fall in this seemingly uneventful lifestyle with an approach that refines and elevates the everyday into the extraordinary. Each day in Paterson’s life starts with a shot of him waking up beside his sleeping partner Laura, progresses with his work at the local bus depot, offers snapshots of his conversations with the passengers on his route, showcases his quiet moments writing poetry before his shift or during his lunch breaks, concludes with his homely evenings with Laura, and late-night walks with his dog Marvin to the local bar.

Living in Paterson and driving his daily bus route, Paterson drinks in the town’s history and character, which is seamlessly woven into his own. He is a silent observer, absorbing the city's distinctive vibes, registering its daily scenes and snatches of overheard conversation, all of which constitutes fodder for his verse-making. Paterson's poetry isn't an escape from his humdrum life but rather a celebration of it. To experience the world through Paterson’s eyes is to catch snatches of beauty and profundity from the mundane, offering the audience a chance to celebrate the everyday poet who finds magic in existence and channelizes it through his verses.

Notably absent is a traditional narrative conflict and dramatic plot twists. Instead, the film confidently delves into life’s simple repetitions and how they inform the human experience. Waterfalls, matches, the cosmos, love; these are the materials of Paterson’s poetic inspiration.

Laura, on the other hand, is a whirlwind of creative energy, her dreams and designs possesses an eccentric, black and white aesthetic. She hops from one artistic endeavor to another, baking cupcakes for a farmer's market one minute, obsessively decorating their home the next, then dreaming of becoming a country music star. Despite having contrasting creative outlets, Laura and Paterson support each other, creating a blissful atmosphere of mutual respect and understanding that's refreshing in its simplicity and lack of usual cinematic drama.

Standing in contrast to Paterson's measured approach to his surroundings, Marvin the dog serves as an element of unpredictability. His antics add a playful touch to the somber rhythm of the film, cleverly disrupting the flow at times and managing to create some of the most memorable scenes from the film.

With 'Paterson,' Jarmusch has crafted a visually compelling love letter to simplicity, poetry, and the seemingly mundane aspects of life. It's a meditative examination of life's undulating rhythms through the experiences of an everyday man who perceives art in the ordinary. The film underlines the importance of creativity and is an illuminating reminder of how the creative life can exist outside the vacuum and infiltrate the day-to-day routines of ordinary existence, transforming everyday life into something that's nothing short of poetic. Despite its measured pace and lack of conventional drama, 'Paterson' is a charming, absorbing film that will hypnotize viewers with its beauty, humanity, and quiet examination of the creative muse.