Movies about writers and writing are usually divided in two categories: the ones where the writers have difficulties about writing, which lead to bloody consequences (think about Secret Window with Johnny Depp or Harry, he's here to help) and the ones where a writer gets his ideas stolen, which lead to bloody consequences (remember D.O.A. with Dennis Quaid?)... In both cases, the business of writing is a painful and acrimonous affair. Except in **Paterson **where it's all the genius of Jim Jarmusch to avoid those clichés and build something both unic, tender and hypnotic - a far cry from the loud and vulgar action movies we are fed every year.
It happens entirely in a city called Paterson, to a character whose name is... Paterson, who is a bus driver who has a passion for words, notebooks and poetry.
The movie follows a straightforward narration, divided into 7 chapters, one for each day of the week from monday to sunday, and each day looks like the same: bus driver wakes up and lovingly embraces his wife in bed. Bus driver eats his breakfast and lets the first thought of the day sparks his creativity. Bus driver composes poem while walking to the bus depot. Bus driver jots down in his notebook the poem he just dreamed about. Bus driver eavesdrops on the conversations of his passengers... And so on and so.
It can sound (and it is) as prosaic as the poems that Paterson writes in his notebook - but it turns out absolutely hypnotic and thrilling at some point. And even though it is probably half an hour too long and Jarmusch would have been inspired to try the same sobriety as his character, he manages to really to convey the mystery of creativity and inspiration.
Suddenly, while driving his bus, Paterson lets his surrounding seep into his subconscious and a new poem wash over his mind like a torrent and every ripple adds a new line to his notebook. You may not be particularly fascinated by prose poetry, but there is no denying that Jarmusch is on to something when describing the process of Paterson.
There is also a topic about the way Paterson can't really acknowledge the title of "poet". He is quite shy about his passion, and can't really assume the mantle of poet. The city of Paterson plays a role in this handicap: the city may not tell you anything at first, however, as we can see from the black and white photos behind the bar where Paterson gets to drink his beer every night after his shift, it turns out this city has churned out an impressive array of American artists - and every night, Paterson (the man) contemplates longingly those artists and (probably) wonders if he will be up there one of these days - or even if he has any right to think about it at all! A feeling that his loving and creative wife desperately tries to kill through her love and care.
Because Paterson is not one of those artist living alone in an attic and eating from a can. He is actually living a pretty decent and comfortable life with the most creative and down-to-earth housewife one could wish for. Played by the absolutely gorgeous and sweet Golshifteh Farahani, Laura is herself a wannabe artist who is more straight, outspoken and structured about her artistic goals and ambitions and consistently tries to infuse that passion and determination into her husband.
I can't remember the last time I saw a portrait of such a loving couple on cinema. For once, Paterson portrays a loving union between two human beings who are such a fit for one another that you wish you could fall in love straight away with the new person you meet.
All in all, Paterson is quite the antidote to the gloomy and hectic movies you can see every week. Treat yourself with a relaxing and soft movie for once, and let the magic slowly wash over you thanks to the gentle and loving touch of Jim Jarmusch.
A truly magic movie which just instils in you the urge to grab the first pen around and start writing...