Jim Jarmusch

BY: Howard Karren

Jim Jarmusch is an American treasure: an authentic voice and a sweet, satirical chronicler of the hipster life. From when he burst onto the international scene in 1984 with Stranger Than Paradise, giving the nascent American independent scene a goose, till today, when his 12th film, Paterson (see trailer, above), a dreamy romantic tale about a poet (Adam Driver) living in the industrial detritus of Paterson, New Jersey (opening in theaters December 28), he has chugged along at his own speed, creating his own idiosyncratic brand of art. His movies move us, amuse us, inspire us and make us sigh. Here, from Paterson above to the four features below, we’ve singled out his five sexiest films, for recalling when you’re in a PROVOKR state of mind.
Only Lovers Left Alive (2013)

Jarmusch’s wistful and weary take on the hipster class as a brood of immortal vampires, feeding on human blood as if it were a narcotic, stars Tilda Swinton and Tom Hiddleston (above) as a regal couple separated and rejoined by time and geography. They’re surrounded and distracted by a fabulous and frivolous array of characters, but their love endures.

 

Broken Flowers (2005)

Bill Murray’s journey into the strange, terrifying and intimidating world of old girlfriends—including Sharon Stone (above right, with Alexis Dziena as her daughter, Lolita, in the window)—is one of Jarmusch’s earthiest romantic comedies. With Jessica Lange, Tilda Swinton and Julie Delpy.

 

Mystery Train (1989)

Five years before Pulp Fiction, Jarmusch was clearly an inspiration to Tarantino with this fragmented story of three groups of characters who converge on a hotel in Memphis run by Screamin’ Jay Hawkins in an electric-red suit and haunted by the ghost of Elvis. Intrigued? The clothes alone are a turn-on, but the Japanese tourist couple (Yûki Kudô, above left, and Masatoshi Nagase) are rock ’n’ roll freaks of the highest order.

 

Stranger Than Paradise (1984)

The stylistic tropes—static camera set-ups, black-and-white photography, deadpan acting—were shocking in its day, captivating Cannes and turning New Hollywood on its head. But the utterly charming trio above—downtown musicians Richard Edson (left) and John Lurie (right) and Hungarian cool cat Eszter Balint (in the car)—were the heart and soul of the film, a hipster road movie that would make Bing Crosby and Bob Hope scratch their heads in utter perplexity.