Synopsis: The story of two vampire lovers, who've been together for hundreds of years, trying to survive undetected in the modern world.
Stan's thoughts: Expectations were high for this one - Tom Hiddleston and Tilda Swinton as vampire lovers Adam and Eve? What better pairing is there? And with Mia Wasikowska as Eve's irresponsible sister and John Hurt as fellow vampire Marlowe it ticked lots of boxes. And it didn't disappoint, I loved it.
Hiddleston and Swinton are intoxicating to watch as the lovers who've spent so long together and for whom time swings to a different pendulum. They don't rush in anything they do or say - just the occasional glimpse of vampire speed when necessity dictates - and why should they? They have all the time in the world which is why they live apart in different countries for periods and get married to each other regularly.
Time has allowed them to really appreciate the world around them whether it is nature, art, literature or music. There is an irony in that though not technically living they have a heightened appreciation of what is alive, vibrant and culturally rich about mankind.
They've adapted to the modern world, use the same technology as humans but are equally affected by the changing environment. Human blood is becoming polluted and there is a constant search for "the good stuff" which is pure and doesn't have any adverse affects to their health. They have evolved as vampires and avoid killing for blood instead negotiate deals with workers at hospitals using cash as an incentive rather than terror.
Only Lovers Left Alive oozes slowly and languidly like thick honey dripping off a spoon and yet it also has an arch and knowing humour. The vampire's attraction to art and literature has long been a feature in how they live and and the film is weaved with literary references. Marlowe, for instance, is one Christopher Marlowe who, not having been murdered as a young man after all, ended up writing Shakespeare's best work.
Hiddleston and Swinton inject an air of familiarity and ease into to Adam and Eve while maintaining a magnetic mystery and aloofness that is very much part of their charm.
It has been suggested that this film is a little pretentious but I think Jim Jarmusch who wrote and directed had his tongue firmly in his cheek. I liked spending time with Adam and Eve, they made me smile and made me laugh and this will certainly be a film going into my DVD collection.
Ratings
- Stan's: 80%
- IMDB: 76%
- Metascore: 73%
- Rotten Tomatoes: 84%
- RT audience rating: 80%
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