Only Lovers Left Alive

[kevinknapman]

So one of the best films I saw at last year's London Film Festival is now one of the best films I've seen in 2014.
It remains a deliciously dark and romantic treat. Wonderfully funny too with its tongue firmly stuck in its cheek. Hiddleston in particular attacking the script with a deft deadpan touch, a case of an actor perfectly matching the sensibilities of his director. True its tendency for name-dropping to get laughs is a little obvious at times but there is still plenty to enjoy. Although its funniest line is also a spoiler, so I won't ruin that.

The cast are all great. Hiddleston and Swinton make for a perfect and convincing couple. Hiddleston's doomed cynicism working beautifully alongside Swinton's more positive, spiritual attitude. John Hurt brings pathos and gravitas to Kit Marlowe and Mia Wasikowska brings energy and danger into Adam and Eve's sedate world. Anton Yelchin is very good too and finally appears in a decent vampire film after the redundant Fright Night remake. The cast really help to make the film more moving than it could have been.

Excellent use of locations too, with the once great but now crumbling cities of Michigan and Tangiers perfectly mirroring the gradual decline of its characters. The tour of Detroit scene was particularly good with the unique Michigan Building's theatre turned car park making a memorable appearance.

A fantastic soundtrack seals the deal with an eclectic mix of sounds that combines the industrial oppressiveness of Detroit with the more exotic sounds of Tangiers. Jim Jarmusch's own band SQÜRL providing a lot of the music.

Sure it's a slow paced film but that's not necessarily a bad thing and I was happy enough for the film to take its time. It's also good to see a vampire film that isn't reliant on gore or sparkling teen vamps, bringing doomed romanticism back to a genre that's lost a bit of its cool and sophistication in recent years. So I loved this film and would gladly sit through it a third time.

[tibba]

This was a film on my 'must see' list. I can't believe I got free tix to see it. I can only describe the film as divine, absolutely divine. I loved every inch of it. The stylistic framing/shots, the characters, the literature references, the irony/humour - everything. This is a beautiful and brooding film that I'm just in love with. However, most people will find it slow and this will mean that they can't gel with the material. I did witness a few people left early.

I am ready to watch it again.

[deb1]

Please put me in the hate camp.

Moi aussi, scootermcc!
Glasgow was fairly full but I was surprised there were only 9 walkouts. They will never know how lucky they were . . . escaping!
I think this will be my worst film of the year, in fact of my life!

The more I read these reviews, the more I'm glad that I missed out on the film!

[taroly]

Dilemma - I'm the same as valda - love TH but not a fan of TS. When I go to the movies, I wanna be entertained. If nothing much happens, I'm not sure even Tom H could get me through an entire movie. Gah.

[The Sparrow]

I don't understand why people are saying nothing happened when so much happened.

Fabulous performances from all the main characters. Dry and witty humour. Modern references interwoven with ancient ones. Stunning to look at. Sexy instruments, sexy people, sexy coiffing of blood in those blood red glass goblets. And I adored the younger sister especially when she climbed all over them on their bed.

My only minor gripe was I didn't understand [spoiler]why they had to ask permission to remove the sexy gloves[/spoiler]

[The Sparrow]

BTW I loved how they showed the difficulties vampires have in finding places to visit as obviously most touristy places are closed at night when they can roam freely.

[The Sparrow]

I liked it, it was never going to be Underworld or any of the other twinkly vampire nonsense. For that I am grateful, Tilda was serene and so peaceful and the perfect light to the broody darkness of Tom's character. Loved the ending and it was a beautifully shot film. Yes it had faults, was over long in parts and the humour was very dry but they were supposed to be centuries old vampires, possibly even older by their names? I'd happily watch it again but I am a huge vampire fan and have been since I was a child. As for the marmite effect, possibly. I bloody hated Prisoners but the majority liked it.

Yeah, RPatz can stuff his twinkle where the sun doesn't shine

[missmac]

I absolutely loved this film, I wasn't really that interested in going to see it but I was persuaded to and I'm so glad I was. It was an absolute feast on my senses. So yes there wasn't a huge story line, but there didn't need to be. I was enthralled from the start (once the screen stopped spinning) this was beautifully cast, beautifully shot & one which I would definitely see again. I'm not a fan of vampire films, in fact I can only think of 1 I like (lost boys) the soundtrack was fantastic all the way through too.

A strong 8/10 for me

[baty]

Quite a few walk outs in Cardiff as it this is not your usual fang movie.

I loved this film, kevinknapman summed it up beautifully for me.
8/10

[Joelang92]

I don't understand why people are saying nothing happened when so much happened.

Fabulous performances from all the main characters. Dry and witty humour. Modern references interwoven with ancient ones. Stunning to look at. Sexy instruments, sexy people, sexy coiffing of blood in those blood red glass goblets. And I adored the younger sister especially when she climbed all over them on their bed.

My only minor gripe was I didn't understand [spoiler]why they had to ask permission to remove the sexy gloves[/spoiler]

That relates to vampire lore. Just like how [spoiler]they do not enter homes without being invited in. It's like vampire etiquette.[/spoiler]