Broken Flowers-Cure for the Summer Blockbuster
At a recent screening of Jim Jarmusch's Broken Flowers, the indie filmmaker referred to his new film as a possible "antidote to Spielberg's War of the Worlds." Jarmusch was present for a Q&A session after the film last Tuesday in Seattle.
Bill Murray stars as a man who receives a letter which pushes his life in a much needed new direction. The script and direction is pure Jarmusch, and Bill Murray is a perfect fit for the role. As with many films that I end up taking such a strong liking to, this film isn't so much about what actually happens, but rather how it all happens. The pauses between words.
The film is dedicated to Jean Eustache, French filmmaker who died in 1981 from a suicide. Jarmusch says that Eustache has inspired him over the years as an artist, and that "as I made this film, his presence was there with me." He wrote the script in three weeks, which is very fast, so it's easy to believe that he was indeed inspired by something.
Broken Flowers is smart, funny, heartfelt, and takes us on a journey along with Murray as he searches for understanding. The film seems to open a door, inviting us to step through. For me, this is the best kind of film.
"I have complete creative control of my films," said Jarmusch, adding that he wouldn't make a film unless that were so. Broken Flowers was the winner of the Grand Jury Prize at this year's Cannes.
Bill Murray stars as a man who receives a letter which pushes his life in a much needed new direction. The script and direction is pure Jarmusch, and Bill Murray is a perfect fit for the role. As with many films that I end up taking such a strong liking to, this film isn't so much about what actually happens, but rather how it all happens. The pauses between words.
The film is dedicated to Jean Eustache, French filmmaker who died in 1981 from a suicide. Jarmusch says that Eustache has inspired him over the years as an artist, and that "as I made this film, his presence was there with me." He wrote the script in three weeks, which is very fast, so it's easy to believe that he was indeed inspired by something.
Broken Flowers is smart, funny, heartfelt, and takes us on a journey along with Murray as he searches for understanding. The film seems to open a door, inviting us to step through. For me, this is the best kind of film.
"I have complete creative control of my films," said Jarmusch, adding that he wouldn't make a film unless that were so. Broken Flowers was the winner of the Grand Jury Prize at this year's Cannes.
