I love Jim Jarmusch's new movie "Paterson." Adam Driver, who just seems to soar in everything he does these days, plays Paterson, a Paterson, New Jersey bus driver/poet. He lives a quiet, ordered life with the woman he loves (played by Iranian actress Golshifteh Farahani.) The scenes waking up together with her long abundant hair spread out over the sheets and pillows, projects love and caring. Driver (as Paterson) begins his day walking to the bus depot, viewing his beloved, rusting hometown through his bus windows, and listening for bits of conversation amongst his passengers. Every day, he takes lunch at a park overlooking a beautiful waterfall. He returns home for a sometimes slightly too creative meal. After dinner, he walks his growling bulldog Marvin to the local bar, where the bartender with the appropriate name (Doc) played by the soulful character actor Barry Shabaka Henley discusses the world, as Paterson consumes the one beer he allows himself. At home, his wife paints and creates, and fills their world with patterns. Paterson remains quiet but encouraging, spending quiet moments writing love poems which float across the screen in small, neat handwriting. The film credits the poetry to Ron Padgett. I found the combination of Padgett's words and the quiet life of the bus driver moving. Paterson admires the poetry of William Carlos Williams, another Paterson native who worked as a physician at a local hospital. I never expected to fall so hard for a movie about poetry, but "Paterson" offers up deep statements about art, creativity and the inner life of a quiet soul. 4 stars, rated "R." Does it deliver what it promises? Delightful tale about creativity. Is it entertaining? Slyly pulls you in, and never let's go. Is it worth the price of admission? One of the year's best.
