Night on Earth - Criterion Collection (1991)

Independent Film's Boss

Night on Earth - Criterion CollectionThis film is fantastic ...I had an old vhs copy and was glad to see it released in dvd format..it contains flawless..breath taking camera work..a perfect script and soundtrack and brilliant acting by a stellar cast..During the Helsinki segment I actually could feel the bone-chilling night coldness that was hanging over the city...Alfred Hitchcock, Orson Wells, Billy Wilder and Federico Fellini all great Masters of cinema had nothing over Jarmusch in fact I think he could have shown them all a trick or two had he had the chance to take them under his tutelage...If you enjoy true independent film this is the guy who wrote the book..He is also a man who will not sell-out to Hollywood and I am sure he has had many offers! May 15, 2008

I was totally amazed...

...that so many people gave this boring loser of a movie 5 stars!! One star is half a star too many! Do these people have such boring lives that they actually watch other people's boring lives for entertainment? After the first "conversation" [if you can call it that?] with the punk cabbie in LA--I tried to give it a second chance by watching the next episode in NY and it was even worse--a screaming black prostitute whose only vocabulary is "f*** you" is entertainment? NOT!! If you are looking for an interesting movie--PASS ON THIS ONE!! May 3, 2008

Strangers in the night -- a Jim Jarmusch classic

Jim Jarmusch's affinity for the humanity in those who might otherwise seem abrasive or distant is fully evident in this touching and lovely film, finally out in a version that does it justice. The film looks very good and sounds great in its new Criterion edition, that includes some nice extras on a single disc: Jim Jarmusch is always fascinating -- just to watch and even better to hear what he is saying -- and answers questions about the film and about his filmmaking in a few of the extras here, there is also a nice booklet of essays and reminiscences. Jim Jarmusch has often been said to have a more European than American sensibility as a filmmaker -- and this film shows how he could win that reputation -- but at the same time, I think of this film and all of his films as distinctively American, but as having an eye for some of the diversity of American culture. His approach to making films seems to be akin to that of a musician who accumulates a wide range of influences from around the world and distills them into something fresh and spontaneous and mellow. One of the things I like most about his films is that whatever happens the mood stays mellow, like Jazz, like the Blues, like the Tom Waits crooning that tends to accompany his films -- the characters can get upset, things can get out of control but you can watch patiently with a half smile because the camera is in control, everything is cool, relax man and just watch the picture.

If you've never seen a Jarmusch film this wouldn't be a bad place to start -- I know some people find the austerity of Stranger than Paradise (one of my favorite films of all time) and Down by Law a bit offputting. It would be hard not to be charmed and intrigued by the five stories in this film: five encounters in a taxicab, all taking place at the same time, but in different parts of the world (LA, NYC, Paris, Rome, Helsinki). The films are all fairly closely connected in general theme: a cab driver and passenger who on the surface couldn't be more different but turn out to be very similar in ways that aren't always apparent to themselves but are to the audience (the exception is the Roberto Benigni film set in Rome, which is funny to the point of pain, but seems a bit out of place here). Still, the approach of each film is fairly distinct and suggestive of the different sensibilities of each place. Jarmusch has a keen eye for details in each location, and is able to capture each city in ways that are a bit askew from how they tend to be represented in film (except perhaps for Helsinki, where the sensibility and style of the film seems to have a great deal of affinity for Finland's most famous director, Aki Kaurismaki, who I know Jarmusch admires and who also admires Jarmusch). The performances are excellent and distinctive -- Beatrice Dalle stands out in her stunning performance as a blind woman, and the film features one of my favorite performances by Winona Ryder as a young but tough cabbie. Each of the segments would work well on its own, and stand with the very best short films, but it adds up to something more. This is definitely not one to miss for anyone who loves film. January 8, 2008

"I see by your outfit that you are a cowboy, bbbb bbbbb bbb..."

Hallelujah, "Night on Earth" on DVD -- I waited 10 years for this! Up til now this movie has only been available in VHS. The picture is fresh and vivid, and Tom Waits' haunting soundtrack is resonant. Jim Jarmusch pairs contrasting actors in each vignette as the movie circles the globe in a series of nighttime taxi rides. The best is the taxi ride in Rome, ably navigated by Roberto Benigni, as he imposes his confession on a helpless priest. There has never been another movie like it, and "Night on Earth" is Jarmusch's most underrated and brilliant work. December 29, 2007

Travel the world with Tom and Jim

The camera is the Jarmusch 'eye' and you travel with him and his musician buddy Tom Waits across the world as the unseen occupants in taxi cabs. This voyeuristic trip mixes comedy with some serious ideas and even tragedy. A beautiful film that gives you some things to think about as it bridges the often huge divide that can arise between America and Europe. December 11, 2007

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