Rootless Hungarian émigré Willie (John Lurie), his pal Eddie (Richard Edson), and visiting sixteen-year-old cousin Eva (Eszter Balint) always manage to make the least of any situation, whether aimlessly traversing the drab interiors and environs of New York City, Cleveland, or an anonymous Florida suburb. With its delicate humor and dramatic nonchalance, Jim Jarmusch’s one-of-a-kind minimalist masterpiece, Stranger Than Paradise, forever transformed the landscape of American independent cinema. —The Criterion Collection
With his trademark shock of white hair and ultra-cool rock star persona, Jim Jarmusch is the archetypal auteur of American independent film. Born on January 22, 1953, in Akron, OH, Jarmusch was the son of a former film critic for the Akron Beacon Journal. In University, he went to Paris as an exchange student and spend most of his time at the Parisian Cinemas. Upon his return to New York, Jarmusch transferred to Columbia University, where, though he eventually received a degree in English literature. With no film experience, he was accepted into New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts and soon found himself a teaching assistant to legendary maverick filmmaker Nicholas Ray. Ray helped him get funding for his thesis project, Permanent Vacation (1980). Though the film was later released to critical acclaim, his professors were underwhelmed by his final project and Jarmusch never got a degree from N.Y.U.
Jarmusch’s break came with his next film; the 30-minute short eventually… read more
Like a visual photo album this drab road comedy unfolds itself with small moments of truth, comedy, and the emptiness of the American Dream.
"You know, it's funny... you come to someplace new, an'... and everything looks just the same"
Very spacious and calm. I understand jarmusch was avoiding conventions which would explain how calm and empty the film is,, instead of drama he values small moments segmeted by fade outs- the pieces that make a whole. Although i liked that aspect i felt it could have had more diveristy in it's emotional range and camera movements as it's montone style was bold but underwhelming. 3.5/5
10 years after Cassavete's earth-shattering A Woman Under the Influence, Jarmusch tore the American indie cinema wide open with arguably his masterpiece.
Je continue de découvrir petit à petit l’univers de Jim Jarmusch et après avoir adoré Broken Flowers et aimé Dead Man, je m’attaque au second long-métrage du cinéaste, Stranger Than Paradise, succession… read review
This film put a spell on me!
I knew I’d love this film when I saw Willie telling his Hungarian mother to speak English instead of Hungarian.
Stranger Than Paradise is quite possibly… read review
It’s astonishing how such clean, spare filmmaking can yield something so rich, so sublime. I saw this in a packed college theatre (which is impressive considering this film is now 25 years old, older… read review
one of my favourite films and i am gagging to see it on the big screen… i just discovered this strangest little tv episode called ‘fishing with john’, where john lurie takes some of his film and music… read review