Today I watched a film Permanent Vacation directed by
Jim Jarmusch
and I loved it! The main character is a 20-year-old Allie (Chris
Parker), who lives in New York with his girlfriend Leila, well,
'girlfriend' is maybe not the best term to describe the relationship they
have, we don't actually learn much about her. She is just there, beautiful and
serious, smoking and sitting in a graceful position by the window in
their apartment.
Basically the whole film is about
Allie who wanders around the backstreets of New York, searching for
answers, trying to find out what life is about. He meets a bunch of
crazy people and has short, insignificant conversations with them. His
mother is in a mental hospital, father is dead and house where he was
born was bombed. It does not seem he has anything or anyone to lean on,
that's why he drifts.
This is an extremely slow paced film,
so I might not recommend it to impatient viewers, but it has to be this
way to represent Allie's mood successfully. He is lost, but in the end
he finds his way out of this situation. He leaves New York and goes to
Paris, although he knows things are probably not going to be any
different there.
You cannot escape from yourself, but being on permanent vacation-a life tourist does the trick at least for a while.
 |
| Permanent Vacation: Allie dancing |
 |
| I have my dreams when I'm awake |
 |
| Leila. She does not say much, nor does Allie. |
 |
| Leaving, but looking back on Manhattan |
Leila: I'm tired of being alone.
Allie: Everyone is alone. That's why I just drift you know. People
think it's crazy. But it's better to think you are not alone, you know, when
you are drifting, even though you are, instead of just knowing you are alone
all the time. Some people, you know, they can distract themselves with ambitions
and motivation to work, you know, but not me...
I am starting to realise how very right he is. Moving around from one place to another without settling at least gives you an excuse that you feel alienated because you don't spend enough time anywhere. It's a good trick. At least you don't have to deal with harsh reality of eternal loneliness.
With Love,
Pie
