Being a vampire purist (in the way that zombie purists refuse to watch ‘World War Z’) is a very difficult kind of fan to be today. In recent years, television and film have brought us many stories under that genre. Some good, others atrocious, but like the zombie genre, seems to be overdone and incredibly dull given its many iterations. ‘Only Lovers Left Alive’, however, shouldn’t be a disappointment, but rather a refreshing and original take on the genre so loved by many.
Adam (Tom Hiddleston) and Eve (Tilda Swinton), both vampires, reunite to spend time together, reminisce about a time when humans—or zombies, as they call them—cared more about the world, scientific discovery and breakthroughs in art and music. When Eve’s sister, Ava (Mia Wasikowska), comes to visit them, her unpredictability and her incessant need to go against their standards of living as vampires unravel their world.
With vampire love being a very popular thing to tackle in movies presently, ‘Only Lovers Left Alive’ takes a turn for the more subtle. Our cool and mellow, but rather bloodthirsty couple has different means as to how they get their spoils as opposed to the traditional. Instead of living out their lives as radical and fierce beings, they spend their days either contemplating their lives outside of their careers (i.e., Adam) or living freely without worry (i.e., Eve). In keeping with tradition, but adding to the very “hip” vibes that these two give off, the visual effects team does give us a small glimpse as to how their physicality—quick reflexes and pale form—come into play. ‘Only Lovers Left Alive’ isn’t your standard vampire film, but rather a portrait of the lives of two intellectual lovers who happen to be immortal.
In passing the time in their world, Adam and Eve discuss many things—most of which are philosophical. Like humans, they share varied opinions about how humans (or “zombies”) treat their environment, their bodies, each other, and what past humans have created for them to cherish and use.
The tone of ‘Only Lovers Left Alive’ is slow and a bit lengthy, especially in the beginning. The audience is introduced to both of them separately and quite a bit of time is used up in examining the two of them in their own separate lives before finally reuniting about a third into the film. Although this pacing isn’t ideal for everyone, those willing to patiently wait for more to come will be satisfied with what comes next after the possibility of her sister’s arrival comes up in conversation and then again when Ava finally arrives.
The confidence that both Hiddleston and Swinton have in their characters works with their alluring chemistry and in keeping the audience entertained. With Adam suffering from a depression due to popularity from his music, Eve—as one would expect of a spouse—is the free-spirited, undisturbed balance for him, which is something that he has obviously forgotten despite his visits from a dedicated human lackey, Ian (Anton Yelchin).
While we only see her briefly, Ava disrupts the mood of ‘Only Lovers Left Alive’ altogether in a performance that’s both amusing and a little haunting in regards to her selfishness and disregard for those around her. Her personality is in constant clashes with Adam and is fun to see onscreen. It’s moments like these in the film that one gets a sense of how much fun the cast is having with the script and each other, which makes the movie all the more entertaining.
In ‘Only Lovers Left Alive’, there are some surprises in the story that take a turn for the interesting and, while it may not win everyone’s hearts, ‘Only Lovers Let Alive’ is worthwhile for the acting, the original storyline, and the script.
Jim’s Rating: 7.2/10
