Absolutely.
The plot of the movie isn’t anything particularly inventive. Two vampires, Adam (Hiddleston) and Eve (Swinton) live in the modern day and both are recluses, centuries old and tired of the world and what people have done to it. Adam has a few contacts with humans, who he boredly calls ‘zombies’, these being the music obsessed metal head Ian (Yelchin) and a blood bank doctor who supplies his food, Dr. Watson (played by Jeffrey Wright.) He lives in dilapidated Detroit while his wife lives in Tangiers, whisking about in silk robes and listening to psychedelic sitars while hanging out with her (also) centuries old best friend Christopher Marlowe. Yes, the Christopher Marlowe (played by John Hurt.) Not much happens. We see them live their lives as vampires, mostly to themselves, refusing to live on a human diet. No real tension exists before Eve’s sister Ava (Wasikowska) shows up and starts throwing a wrench into the everyday routine of the more subtle Adam and Eve.
Despite the almost nonexistent plot, what makes the movie so enjoyable is the content. The dialogue is beautifully written by Jarmusch himself, with the characters casually mentioning Lord Byron, Shakespeare, Eddie Cochran and a handful of others that just drench the movie in a subtle hipness. It’s intelligent drama and at times even a hushed kind of hilarity in the dry wit of Hiddleston. The chemistry between Swinton and Hiddleston is oddly powerful, the two play off each other with a casual calm that creates a realistic and enticing relationship laced with sensuality. Their relationship is quickly believable and after one dance together the viewer falls in love with them in tandem, which is easy considering they both exude their own unique charisma.Hiddleston and Swinton both kill their roles. The hundred-years-old lovers are quiet and almost mumblecore with their delivery but their delivery and acting is nothing short of genius. With his unkempt hair and baggy V-necks, Hiddleston’s Adam is the a rock star of a vampire, a troubled genius who dabbles in music, science and technology. Swinton, with her alien beauty, may be the perfect casting of a vampire in film history. The supporting cast is spectacular as well. Hurt as Marlowe is brilliant, aged and wise. Wasikowska is the perfect antagonist, the annoying little sister who is just a little bit evil and even Yelchin, who is probably given the least amount of depth to work with, is instantly likeable.
Only Lovers Left Alive is not your traditional vampire story. It’s the best story Anne Rice never wrote, sang by The Doors and then covered by Bob Dylan. It’s undeniably cool. It’s smart and quiet with a dash of flair and rock and roll. It’s a chess board with all the pieces perfectly placed and the result is a captivating and entrancing experience that is a breath of fresh air.
The film opens in select theaters on April 11th.
