Jim Jarmush's Dead Man, a black and white, slightly surreal picaresque western, leaves a lot to interpretation, and I reveled in its ambiguities. Johnny Depp plays William Blake, not the poet but an accountant who becomes a Wild West outlaw after being shot. Is he as dead as the title suggests and are we witnessing a death of the self through the prism of a western? Likely, as the characters we meet are absurd and their deaths could be seen as either psychological resolutions as one reflects on one's death, or else terminations brought on by brain death (note the death of the film's central duality just at the end). But it's more than that. Creating a confusion between this character and the English poet and painter evokes the death of a certain kind of man. Imperialist England gave us poetry and art. In Imperialist America, the only poetry is gun violence. As we move West in the film, modernism seems to slip away. Slow-paced and reflective, Dead Man still remains an achievement in absurdist humor, and should spark some conversations. It's filled with stars and includes a simple, but memorable soundtrack by Neil Young. And full props too for its realistic portrayal of Natives.
It is interesting how "Dead Man" became the most popular movie of Jarmusch. For my personal taste it is one the weakest movies of him along with Ghost Dog.
Found this film so funny and beautiful. It is odd, but in the best meaning of the word. Sometimes you need to skip the romantic comedies and the action dramas, and take the time to watch some poetic film art. Especially if you're not sure if you have the patience for it.
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Siskoid
Jim Jarmush's Dead Man, a black and white, slightly surreal picaresque western, leaves a lot to interpretation, and I reveled in its ambiguities. Johnny Depp plays William Blake, not the poet but an accountant who becomes a Wild West outlaw after being shot. Is he as dead as the title suggests and are we witnessing a death of the self through the prism of a western? Likely, as the characters we meet are absurd and their deaths could be seen as either psychological resolutions as one reflects on one's death, or else terminations brought on by brain death (note the death of the film's central duality just at the end). But it's more than that. Creating a confusion between this character and the English poet and painter evokes the death of a certain kind of man. Imperialist England gave us poetry and art. In Imperialist America, the only poetry is gun violence. As we move West in the film, modernism seems to slip away. Slow-paced and reflective, Dead Man still remains an achievement in absurdist humor, and should spark some conversations. It's filled with stars and includes a simple, but memorable soundtrack by Neil Young. And full props too for its realistic portrayal of Natives.wetwillies
"do you know my poetry?" is one of the coolest lines I've ever heardChrizu
Bb - Bb - C - Eb - Ccorchap
The use of that brilliant score by Neil Young is so well balanced throughout the film. Absolute masterpieceheat_
It is interesting how "Dead Man" became the most popular movie of Jarmusch. For my personal taste it is one the weakest movies of him along with Ghost Dog.justwannaboogie
I don't smokeMhrass
Great!!sureup
Yeah what a great line, but the rest of the movie wasn't really my cup of tea...Sukkermaur
Found this film so funny and beautiful. It is odd, but in the best meaning of the word. Sometimes you need to skip the romantic comedies and the action dramas, and take the time to watch some poetic film art. Especially if you're not sure if you have the patience for it.daisyaday
I apologize! I meant to put: http://www.imdb.com/video/hulu/vi2895617049/ThomasVangelooven
what @trap saidtrap
do you know my poetry?BadFluffy
Vastly overrated imo. Jarmush has done way better but I guess Depp helps.ThomasFTB
Not Jarmusch's best movie, but still worth a look, if only for the soundtrack by Neil Youngdaisyaday
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