Only Lovers Left Alive

It comes as a surprise to no one that this film is one of the most anticipated of 2014. A brilliant and formidable cast, with squeal-inducing names Tom Hiddleston and Tidla Swinton, Only Lovers Left Alive has undoubtedly re-lit the once fleeting flame of classic vampire romance.

This is the tale of Adam (Hiddleston), a suicidal romantic who broods tirelessly night after night in his bereft Detroit home composing music on equipment that passed its prime thirty years ago, and his wife Eve (Swinton), a 500-year-old nomadic vampire who leaves her humble abode in Tangier to reconcile with her obstinate lover. Their idyllic reunion is cut short by the arrival of Ava (Mia Wasikowska) Eve’s younger sister, who wreaks havoc on their lives.

With the addition of the prestigious John Hurt as Marlowe and the versatile Anton Yelchin as Adam’s confidante Ian, this film brings indisputable performances to the screen unlike anything seen before.

This is a story that is easy to fall into within the first minute of screen time, the deep and mysterious relationship between two seemingly immortal lovers complemented with unexpected – and welcomed – moments of comedic relief to brighten some of the darker moments of the film.
Some sequences do move away from the narrative at hand though, and distract from the angst of the protagonists, serving to slow the film down even further than it already seems. 

Shot beautifully, as well as performed beautifully, Only Lovers Left Alive is marvellously picturesque in scene and character. There are moments throughout the film that are so simple and minute, but yet give much significance and could easily go unnoticed by the unfocused eye. Moments like these, as well as a plethora of casual references to greats such as Einstein and Shakespeare, make for a film that has eyes glued to the screen from start to finish.

Hannah Ross

Only Lovers Left Alive is released in selected cinemas in April 2014. 

Watch the trailer for Only Lovers Left Alive here: