#TIFF13: “ONLY LOVERS LEFT ALIVE”

Vampires in recent  years have proven engaging at the Cinema, especially for younger, female Moviegoers. Writer/Director Jim Jarsmusch however, goes against the grain in delivering an ultra-stylish Romantic-Horror geared to the Arthouse Crowd in Only Lovers Left Alive, set to premiere at TIFF ’13.

Centered upon Adam (Tom Hiddleston) and Eve (Tilda Swinton), a Vampire Couple who have been married for centuries,  their bond remains inseparable despite being continents apart. He, a Human-hating reclusive Musician, she his voice of reason and quite possibly the only one who understands his eccentricities. Pure blood, or “the good stuff” as they call it, becomes scarce and this is a frightening reality they face after being forced to flee an abandoned Detroit for Tangiers after Eve‘s careless younger Sister Ava (Mia Wasikowska) arrives unannounced and disrupts their – pardon the pun – flow.

Jarsmusch crafts a Film that despite its various oddly-paired tones, is high on the charm factor and although it admittedly takes a minute to find its voice, this is unique and innovative Storytelling told through laughter, suspense, music, blood and of course,  love. Hiddleston is great as an empty soul, almost always miserable without what matters most to him. Swinton is remarkable in her ethereal beauty, a perfect fit in her role with a nurturing grace breathing life into Adam; she pairs once again with Jarsmusch after phenomenal results in 2005’s Broken Flowers. Wasikowska transforms here into a playful young spirit, stealing every moment she is seen.

Mongrel Media releases the delightfully quirky Only Lovers Left Alive in Canada. Those of you hoping to see it at TIFF have two chances:

Thursday, September 5, 2013 – 9:00 PM – Ryerson
Saturday, September 7, 2013 – 12:15 PM – Bloor Hot Docs