Only Lovers Left Alive (2013)

            This was one of the most intriguing films I’ve seen in a while. The story revolves around two vampire lovers: Adam, a gloomy pessimist who is sick of humans, and Eve, an optimistic woman full of life. They balance each other perfectly and their love has stood through the centuries. Unlike other vampire stories, this one is extremely realistic, and depicts how vampires would probably live if they were real. They use iPhones, write music, go to nightclubs, and book flights to travel the world (only night flights of course). It was nice to see vampires that were so normal, and it was refreshing that they were not depicted as sexualized or bloodthirsty as they usually are in literature and film. The immortality aspect seemed to be emphasized more than the drinking of blood. The only vampire cliché that I noticed was that both Eve and Adam were tempted by blood at some point in the film when a human cut themselves. The vampires’ relationship with blood was also interesting. It almost mirrored the behavior of drug addicts: the isolation, the secrecy, the ecstasy after consuming it.

            The plot was really slow, but still captivating. That is the mark of good filmmaking, in my opinion. I think the pacing would have been too slow if it was not for the vampire element keeping my attention. Yet it is so subtle that you almost forget that the characters are vampires and you start to just think of them as bohemians living in Detroit. I also noticed (and forgive my inner English nerd for coming out) the motif of spinning (with their dancing and the record player) and how it symbolized their endless, immortal lives. The film showed the sadness that comes with never growing old, but also the wonderful possibilities. I would want to be immortal just so that I could have time to read all the books that I will never have time for. Sigh.

            Lastly, I must comment on the delightful casting. Tilda Swinton is so freaking cool. And Tom Hiddleston is perfect as the brooding Adam. Despite their age difference, their chemistry is palpable and makes the captivating tale complete. I would highly recommend this film to anyone who is looking for something out of the ordinary, and that will have them pondering about life long after the credits finish rolling.

IMDb rating: 9/10