Flash Movie Review: Only Lovers Left Alive
Once two people have a shared history of intimacy together, it will always reappear when one is in the presence of the other. They may have not seen each other in a long time; but as soon as they meet, that oasis of intimate vulnerability floats up from the recesses of their minds to create terra firma. A gentle puff of breath slipping across an ear can remind one how they were being held as they dove into a luxurious sleep. The scent of their hair can bring back the vision of a wide open vista of sun stained cliffs cascading into a deep canyon as both sat close, taking in the majesty of the moment. So knowledgeable of each other’s ways, the two created a world unto themselves that is separate from the reality around then. Two individuals who had this connection in this dramatic romantic film were Eve and Adam, played by Tilda Swinton (The Grand Budapest Hotel, Adaptation) and Tom Hiddleston (War Horse, Thor franchise). Aware of Adam’s despondent reclusiveness, Eve traveled from her home in Tangier, Morocco to be with him in Detroit, MIchigan. With the world around them in decline they had their own little safe haven until Eve’s sister Ava, played by Mia Wasikowska (Jane Eyre, The Kids are all Right), showed up at their front door. This film festival nominated movie grew on me like Spanish moss on a thick humid day. Tilda and Tom were so deliciously good together as the centuries old vampires. The whole cast was strong but I could not take my eyes off the two of them. They were able to convey a feeling, an emotion simply by the turn of the head or the gaze of their eyes. The script was smart and hip with quick spurts of fresh humor. Since some of the characters were vampires, the whole picture had a certain darkness to it; but, there was a subtle lightness that made for deep languishing scenes. I really enjoyed the way the director’s or maybe it was cinematographer’s penetrating use of light sources played with the blackness. Though this film was listed as horror, there was nothing I would consider scary in the traditional sense. If you are squeamish at the sight of blood, no matter the vessel it may be in, then yes there were scenes that had blood. However, I can only think of one scene that might be considered gory. Despite a bit of uneven pacing, by the end of the movie I felt I had visited an old couple who knew each other so well, they did not have to ask how the other one felt, they just knew. Brief scenes of blood were shown.
3 stars
Posted on April 23, 2014, in Drama and tagged 3 stars, anton yelchin, drama, fantasy, horror, john hurt, mia wasikowska, romance, tilda swinton, tom hiddleston, vampire. Bookmark the permalink. 11 Comments.
I loved this film. It closed last year’s Film Festival in Auckland, and I was still thinking about it for ages afterwards. 🙂
How cool. Thank you for coming by to tell me.
I’m curious to see this one as there was a bit of hype. I’m not a huge fan of Tilda Swinton, but I can see her as a vampire.
I hope you get to see this film and would be curious to hear your take on it. Thanks for coming by and leaving your comments.
This certainly seems interesting. Though the only vampire thing I bother with nowadays (I prefer zombies) is the True Blood series, Swinton can’t be missed & I do like Hiddleston.
True Blood is my favorite show on TV. Since you mentioned it I think you will like this movie. Thanks again for coming by.
Great review! This is something I really want to check out!
If you do see it I look forward to hearing your views. Thanks again.
🙂 Any time!
Vampire ennui. Not bad for a simple little film. Just watched it. Is that a good representation of Detroit?
I have not been to Detroit for many years but what I heard was an area that was depressed and neglected, with a good portion of the population moving to the suburbs around the city.