Many on this message board, can't figure what makes this film so admired.
Allow me to give you my take -
The film, for me, satirizes films that the people who found this boring and 'the worst film ever made' watch for entertainment, and maybe even escape. In no way, does that mean that these are bad films, it just means Stranger Than Paradise is the anti to them.
The film is ABOUT the people who hate movies like Stranger.
I disagree. This movie is about the immigrant experience in America, and the attempts and struggles for an immigrant to immerse himself/herself in American culture, to "become" American. Willie frequently mentions how American he is, watches football (probably the most American of all sports), and hates when Eva and Aunt Lotte speak Hungarian instead of English. Eva, meanwhile, can't stop listening to the same song. "I've got a spell on you... because you're mine." America's "got a spell" on her. She's excited about being in the US, about starting over in a new country, perhaps realizing "the American dream."
By the end of the film, Willie realizes he hasn't found what he's been looking for all this time in America, and goes back home. We are led the believe that Eva, eventually, will do the same.
Eddie just helps move the story along.
What a waste of hours! Pounding nails in the sand would have more meaning. The concept could have been presented in such a way as to not detach the viewer entirely. If it broke some Indie ice, way back then.... but to watch it now, was painful.
sharethe movies about nothing....and how absurd it all is.
shareThis movie was great because the characters were incredibly strong. The main girl is irresistible and the main guy was humorously set in his ways and well acted. As an amateur filmmaker I can only hope to make something a fraction as beautiful as this one day.
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Very ponderous film. I thought the acting of Eszter Balint and Cecilia Stark was amateurish. On a few occasions you could see them looking for the camera. You could tell they were in a film & it didn't look natural. The scene where Eva is sat at a table outside the motel & the score that plays at the moment reminded me of Bergman but this film is not Bergman quality. Personally, I was disappointed.
shareThere really werent many movies like Stranger than Paradise when it was release, so saying it satirizes films like Paradise doesn't make much sense. This movie is the definition of Slice of Life story telling. If you think about it if you were to edit the movie down to the scenes that move the plot forward the movie would probably be a half hour long. Jarmusch really isn't going for a plot driven story here, it's more about character's, and there interactions, and creating a sense of realism, but still managing capture more of the awkwardness that most other slice of life movies tend to leave out.
shareFor me, I like it mostly for it's carefree, non chalant style. And the way the characters are portrayed made it so lovable. Like there is so much beauty in just watching a simple film of three people who have no direction in life trying to look for something, somewhere their hearts want to be.
And in the end, all of them are separated at a crossroad that may change their lives forever..... There is just so much beauty in it!
Normally I would hate this kind of movie. Nothing but dialogue, nothing happens, master shots for every scene, but I was entranced by the whole thing. I loved it.
sharenot too mention this movie pretty much started the whole american indie film scene
shareHow about how Jim Jarmusch managed to make lower Manhattan look like such a lonely, desolate place. Any part of NYC look boring and lifeless? THAT was masterful filming!
And Willie? It was 1984 and being 30 years old back then wasn't like it is now. A nonchalant hipster living a lonely existence and set in his ways is nothing strange now, but someone of that age then it was different.
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