Paterson

AHA!

Pleasant. Warm. How you would feel if Tom Hanks hugged you. These are the feelings that you experience watching Paterson. Director, Jim Jarmush. Starring, Adam Driver.

Paterson (Driver) is a soft-spoken bus driver in the town of Paterson NJ, who writes poetry inspired and hidden by his life. Daily, he drives, listens to passengers, walks his dog, has a drink with a friend, and comes home to his loving and vibrant wife. In the quiet moments, he writes poetry. His wife has a new artistic venture every day. And Paterson is reluctant to share his poetry. That is the premise and the entire plot. Nothing else happens. And it’s awesome. If there is any conflict or climax it is the bus getting a flat tire or Paterson meeting someone new or the dog eating some of Paterson’s poetry. Ordinary. Small moments. And it is so refreshing, surprisingly funny, and loveable.

The film is about an ordinary guy with an ordinary life. But it is not dull or lacking. It celebrates the ordinary and showcases how the small moments can inspire art. You stay involved and intrigued the entire time. I see this now. But I have to say, as I watched the movie there was a small part of me hoping more would happen—that there would be a fight with the wife, that he would publish and be recognized, or he would lose his job. Some drama. But once it was done, or rather as it was coming to a close with an amazing scene at a park bench, I was so glad nothing like that did. He has a great, normal, and sweetly hilarious relationship with his wife. He is good at his job. And he keeps his poetry to himself, but he does continue to write it. And it’s all great.

Throughout the film, you see him write his poetry. As he is driving or walking, Paterson works out his poetry in his mind. The words appear on screen with pleasant imagery. He drafts several versions of the same poem, picking up small inspirations throughout his day. Recalling things as small as the color of a matchbox. I loved the small celebration of the creative process. The way the voiceover is broken up and paused like he is reading it as he is writing it down.

Favorite scenes. After work, he notices a little girl sitting alone and asks if she is okay. The girl is just waiting for her mom to finish an errand, but Paterson asks permission to sit with her until her mom gets back, to make sure she is okay. Because that is the kind of guy he is and it’s great. As they sit, he notices that she is writing a poem. She shares one called Water Falls. He encourages her and even recites the poem to himself later. But first, as she is leaving with her family, there is a cool exchange of noticing each other’s quirks and peculiarities. Paterson is struck by the fact that she is an identical twin. She thinks it’s “cool, a bus driver who likes Emily Dickenson.” It is a sweet and subtle hint of inspiration in both poets, noticing something special in the other but not in themselves.

Favorite Scene #2. The dog destroys Paterson’s private poetry journal. He is somber and rather depleted after this. Reluctant to write soon after. Then in the park, he randomly shares a bench with a Japanese tourist who came to Patersonson because it is the real-life hometown and inspiration of his favorite poet William Carlos Williams. Paterson now denies being a poet, but the man senses it in him. Paterson claims that he is just a bus driver, which the man says is poetic in itself. He likens Paterson’s life to something that could be a poem by Williams. They share about their favorite artists. The tourist points out their artistic contribution, especially those who lived in Paterson NJ. Paterson agrees but then feels compelled to include outside facts about them like they had other occupations as a meteorologist or doctor. To which the man constantly claims, “AHA.” Like he has discovered something similar to Paterson’s situation, affirming his claim of a lyrical life. Opposing Paterson’s aloof nature, the man “breathes poetry” and shares his poetic nature with pride. He coaxes Paterson’s passion back to life with a gift of a new notebook and a final “AHA.” There is so much in this conversation! Profound in how ordinary it is. They don’t say much but share a lot. And the change in Paterson makes you smile, as he starts to write in the empty notebook.