MovieChat Forums > Only Lovers Left Alive (2013) Discussion > Is it me? or does nothing really happen ...

Is it me? or does nothing really happen at all in this movie?

posted 10 years ago by bkranich19
106 replies | jump to latest

I watch the first hour thinking "O.K, It's going to get crazy, or something's going to happen any minute" But no, IT was just a movie of two people hanging out for two hours. I skipped a head like every 2-3 minutes at a time. and it just looked like nothing really meaningful happens.

Like was there any plot.
Does anything end up happening?

This was the most pointless movie ever. IF I wanted to watch to people sit around I'd film myself for 2 hours.
Don't watch this!

[–] captkirk_459 10 years ago

The most important thing that happens in the movie is when Mia's character is introduced to Anton Yelchin she drinks his blood and kills him. Then Adam and Eve have to dispose of the body without being noticed by the police. I thought that Mia was going to get shot with the wooden bullet for what she did but she wasn't. She is just thrown out. Then Adam and Eve decide to leave the country in fear that Ean's death will expose them.

[–] Seraphion 10 years ago

Well, my friend, this movie is actually a great movie, story-wise, and technical-wise.

The story is great that it presents the calm yet powerful and secretive yet fragile characterization of the creature vampire. Not so much exploiting their super human abilities like what we see in Twilight, not overly gruesome and bloodthirsty like what we see in Dracula, Angel, Buffy and the likes, and also not stupidly bent on conquering humans like in Blade and the likes.

The drama aspect is also good. Remember, it's a drama between two vampires, not humans. And the romance has been going for centuries.

Technically, the mood built is great and relaxing. The many props used is also a great addition considering that the movie also include some great music and literary reference.

This Too Will Pass

[–] chained-in-human-body 10 years ago

It's art-haus (e.g., it was selected to be shown at Cannes), and not everyone likes it. More on the topic of this kind of movies can be read here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Art_film

Vampire Academy is a good example of bad movie, but this one is just different.

[–] melvingladys 10 years ago

Not much.

This thread is fascinating because this is the only Jarmusch film I have ever really been able to - well - sink my teeth into, and I loved it. It is more the chronicling of a particular mood. It certainly isn't plot-driven. But nothing happens in lots of films. Babette's Feast comes to mind but there are many others.

[–] Sook-Yongsheng 10 years ago

But nothing happens in lots of films.

It's not so much that nothing happens.

It's just happening at a slower, more intimate, more languid sort of pace.

It's not all car chases and explosions, you have to have the patience to engage and follow the story even when nothing really "spectacular" is going on.

In other words, you have to have a reasonable attention span and be willing to focus.

Only Lovers Left Alive: 8
Oculus: 7
Joe: 10
Locke: 10
Blue Ruin: 9
Belle: 8
Ida: 9

[–] melvingladys 10 years ago

Yes. You have to engage. Otherwise, one could say of Ulysses "Well nothing happens, this guy just goes for a walk."

[–] Korios 10 years ago

It is really you. Go back to watching Michael Bay's crap and avoid Jarmus, Kislowski, Bergman, Tarkovski etc.

Fanboy : a person who does not think while watching.

[–] MrBlondee 10 years ago

I'm so happy you mentioned Tarkovski.

[–] urmeltinmahead 10 years ago

This was a borefest from start to end, no plot no direction just meaningless drivel. And before I get chastised to go watch Transformers or this summers spectecular, I have no interest in those blockbusters either. I like films with substance which none of the above have.

In essence if you like a dreary storyline that meanderers around going nowhere really with two apathetic vampires who i wanted to stake then go watch this, otherwise save yourself the trouble and go see Transformers.

[–] zadok-332-444684 10 years ago

Yes: nothing really happens.
No: it is not a pointless movie.

If you dislike movies without a plot you should probably stay away.
If you think the plot is what makes the point in movies you are gravely mistaken however - not only regarding this one. Plots are 99% pointless actually. For a plot to work it does not need to make sense at all: you probably wouldn't even notice grave inconsistencies and absurdities in a well made nonsense plot. Nothing new in plots. All the stories have been told a thousand times over.

Even popular titles get rid of the plot more and more actually: new series often revolve around the characters rather than a plot. They often hint at the supposed existence of a plot - mostly taking you for a fool, telling you "that's what it was about all along" although that plot was introduced but a minute ago and changes next episode.

[–] 10 years ago

[deleted]

[–] modman-2 10 years ago

yes, it's you.