PATERSON (2016)

Summary:

Paterson is a contemplative drama that follows a week in the life of Paterson, a bus driver and aspiring poet living in Paterson, New Jersey. The film meticulously details his daily routine, observing the mundane and finding profound beauty and inspiration within it. Paterson quietly writes poetry in a notebook, drawing material from his observations of the city and its inhabitants, while his artistically ambitious wife, Laura, constantly reinvents their home and pursues various creative projects, often in striking black and white patterns.

Through its gentle pacing and focus on the ordinary, the movie explores themes of routine, creativity, love, and the quiet dignity of a life lived with intention. It's a celebration of finding art in everyday existence, the subtle interplay between two loving individuals, and the resilience of the creative spirit even in the face of minor setbacks. The film paints a tender portrait of a man who embraces his simple life, transforming it into art, and the supportive relationship that allows both partners to pursue their unique passions.

Keywords: Paterson, 2016, Adam Driver, Golshifteh Farahani, Jim Jarmusch, Drama, Poetry, Routine, Art, Love.

Plot:

The film opens on Monday morning, establishing the serene yet structured rhythm of Paterson’s life. He awakens without an alarm clock, typically just after 6:15 AM, beside his wife, Laura, who is still asleep. Their bedroom, like much of their home, reflects Laura’s burgeoning artistic sensibilities, adorned with her distinctive black-and-white patterns. Paterson’s first quiet act of the day is to kiss Laura, a tender gesture that underscores the deep affection underpinning their otherwise contrasting personalities. He then dresses in his uniform – a simple blue shirt and dark trousers – and eats a bowl of Cheerios, a mundane yet comforting ritual. Before leaving for work, he retrieves a small, worn notebook from his nightstand, containing a poem he's been working on, and reads it silently. His daily commute takes him through the city of Paterson, New Jersey, where he drives a public bus. As he navigates the familiar routes, he listens intently to the conversations of his passengers, their snippets of dialogue often sparking ideas or adding texture to his internal world. During his lunch break, parked by the Great Falls of the Passaic River, he writes new lines or refines existing ones in his notebook, his pen scratching quietly on the page. Upon returning home, he finds Laura engaged in her latest artistic endeavor, which today involves painting their mailboxes in bold black-and-white geometric designs. After dinner, he takes their English bulldog, Marvin, for a walk, a routine that invariably ends with a stop at the local bar, where he enjoys a single beer and exchanges pleasantries with Doc, the owner, and other regulars. The day concludes with Paterson and Laura in bed, sharing quiet moments before sleep.

Tuesday mirrors Monday in its fundamental structure, reinforcing the cyclical nature of Paterson’s existence. He wakes, kisses Laura, eats breakfast, and drives his bus. The film subtly highlights the small variations within the routine, emphasizing that even in repetition, there are unique moments. During his bus route, Paterson overhears a conversation between two young men discussing the famous boxing career of Rubin "Hurricane" Carter, a former Paterson resident, which resonates with the city's rich history. He continues to refine his poetry, the act of writing a private solace and a means of processing his observations. Laura, meanwhile, reveals a new creative impulse: she wants to start a cupcake business. She enthusiastically presents her black-and-white decorated cupcakes, baked with an experimental lavender and blackberry flavor, which Paterson dutifully tastes and praises, despite their unusual combination. Her boundless enthusiasm and rapid shifts in artistic focus stand in charming contrast to Paterson’s steady, internal rhythm. The evening follows the established pattern: Marvin's walk, the single beer at the bar, and quiet time with Laura.

Wednesday brings a slight disruption to Paterson’s otherwise smooth routine. While driving his bus, the vehicle unexpectedly breaks down. Paterson handles the situation with characteristic calm and efficiency, reassuring his passengers and waiting patiently for a replacement bus. This minor inconvenience serves to highlight his unflappable nature and his ability to adapt without losing his inner peace. Later, on the bus, he observes a pair of identical twins, a recurring motif throughout the film, which he notes with a quiet curiosity. Back home, Laura has moved on from cupcakes to music, having purchased a new guitar online. She excitedly tells Paterson about her dream of becoming a country singer, showcasing her new instrument, which, of course, she plans to paint in her signature black-and-white style. Paterson listens patiently, his quiet support a constant presence in her life. His own creative output continues, his notebook slowly filling with lines inspired by the day's events and observations.

Thursday sees Laura’s guitar now fully adorned in her distinctive black-and-white patterns, a visual testament to her immediate and vibrant artistic expressions. Paterson continues his bus route, his mind attentive to the world around him. In a particularly poignant scene, he stops at a laundromat while walking Marvin and encounters a young girl, also a poet, waiting for her laundry. They share a quiet conversation about poetry, and she reads him one of her own verses, a beautiful and surprisingly profound piece about rain. Paterson is visibly moved by her talent and the unexpected connection. This interaction underscores the film's theme that poetry and art can be found in the most unassuming places and people. Later, at the bar, Paterson witnesses the escalating drama between Everett and Marie, a couple whose tumultuous relationship provides a stark contrast to his own serene partnership with Laura. He remains a silent observer, a repository for the human stories unfolding around him, which implicitly feed his creative well.

Friday intensifies the bar drama. Paterson and Laura decide to go out for dinner and then head to the bar. There, they find Everett and Marie embroiled in a heated argument, which culminates in Everett pulling out a prop gun and threatening Marie, driven by jealousy and despair. Paterson, along with Doc, intervenes to de-escalate the situation. The incident is tense but ultimately harmless, serving as a reminder of the raw, unpredictable emotions that simmer beneath the surface of ordinary life. Paterson’s calm demeanor once again proves essential in maintaining order. Despite the dramatic interlude, the evening concludes with Paterson and Laura returning home, their bond seemingly strengthened by navigating the external chaos together. The contrast between the volatile emotions of others and their own steady affection is palpable.

Saturday brings the film's most significant moment of crisis for Paterson. He awakens to find his beloved notebook, filled with all his poems, utterly destroyed by Marvin. The dog, having apparently chewed it to shreds, lies innocently nearby. Paterson is devastated, his quiet composure momentarily shattered by the loss of his private creations. The notebook represents his inner world, his accumulated observations and reflections, and its destruction feels like a profound personal violation. Laura, sensing his deep despair, attempts to comfort him, reminding him that the poems are still in his head, and he can rewrite them. She offers practical advice and emotional support, showcasing her intuitive understanding of his quiet nature. This moment highlights the fragility of art and the importance of a supportive partner in times of loss. Despite Laura's encouragement, Paterson feels a profound sense of emptiness, the tangible manifestation of his art gone.

Sunday begins with Paterson still grappling with the loss of his poems. He takes Marvin for a walk, finding himself drawn to his usual contemplative spot by the Great Falls. As he sits on a bench, a lone Japanese man approaches him. The man, also a poet, recognizes Paterson as a fellow artist and expresses his admiration for William Carlos Williams, another poet from Paterson, New Jersey. They engage in a quiet, profound conversation about poetry, the act of writing, and the inspiration drawn from the mundane. The Japanese poet, sensing Paterson’s quiet sorrow and perhaps intuiting his loss, gifts him a brand-new, blank notebook, telling him, "A poem needs a home." This unexpected act of kindness and understanding offers Paterson a profound sense of renewal and hope. The film concludes with Paterson sitting by the falls, holding the new notebook, ready to begin again. The cycle of creation, loss, and rebirth is complete, underscoring the enduring power of art and the quiet resilience of the human spirit. His routine, though momentarily disrupted, is poised to continue, enriched by new experiences and renewed inspiration.

Cast (Lead Roles):

• Adam Driver as Paterson
• Golshifteh Farahani as Laura
• Nellie as Marvin
• Barry Shabaka Henley as Doc
• Chasten Harmon as Marie
• William Jackson Harper as Everett
• Rizwan Manji as Donny
• Kara Hayward as Young Poet
• Masatoshi Nagase as Japanese Poet

Crew:

• Director: Jim Jarmusch
• Writer: Jim Jarmusch
• Producers: Joshua Astrachan, Carter Logan
• Cinematography: Frederick Elmes
• Editor: Affonso Gonçalves
• Music: Sqürl (Jim Jarmusch, Carter Logan)
• Production Design: Mark Friedberg

Release Info:

• Original Release Date: May 16, 2016 (Cannes Film Festival) / December 28, 2016 (USA)
• Language: English
• Genre: Drama, Comedy
• Running Time: 118 minutes
• Accolades: Palm Dog Award (Cannes Film Festival for Nellie as Marvin), various nominations for Jim Jarmusch (Best Director, Best Screenplay), Adam Driver (Best Actor).