Paterson (2016)

Paterson is a quiet, observant character study that follows one week in the life of Paterson, a bus driver in Paterson, New Jersey. Each day unfolds in a comforting routine: waking at the same time, driving the #23 route while listening to passengers and jotting poems in a secret notebook, stopping for a single beer at his neighborhood bar, returning home to his wife Laura and her endlessly inventive projects, and walking their bulldog Marvin. Small variations — conversations at the bar, Laura’s creative ambitions, and an unexpected event that threatens his equilibrium — provide gentle drama and moments of change. Seeing the film is a slow, meditative experience. The pace is unhurried and detail-minded: you’ll notice the texture of ordinary moments, overheard fragments of speech, and the way small gestures reveal character. Humour is subtle and warm; emotion is understated but real. The movie treats everyday life as a source of poetry, both literally (Paterson writes poems inspired by William Carlos Williams and his surroundings) and visually, finding beauty in routine and small disruptions. Expect a restrained, intimate tone rather than conventional plot twists or action. If you enjoy films that reward attention — that let you sit with moods, rhythms, and small human interactions — you’ll find Paterson quietly moving and surprisingly resonant.

Actors: Adam Driver, Golshifteh Farahani, Nellie

Director: Jim Jarmusch

Runtime: 118 min

Genres: Comedy, Drama, Romance

6.8 /10 90 /100 7.3 /10 7.7 /10