I generally don’t like romance movies. Don’t get me wrong, I love romance within a movie, but strict romantic comedies or dramas are usually at the bottom of my watch list. That probably sounds strange considering the romance genre is my favorite to write and read (alongside horror), but I usually don’t identify with or like the characters in most romance movies. There are some exceptions, for example Ever After, Role Play, and The Marrying Man (see how long it’s been since I’ve watched a romance movie I’ve truly loved?), but usually my favorite movie romances are a subplot within an action or horror movie, like Crimson Peak or Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom.
Paterson is one of the most unique romances I’ve seen because it’s not overly dramatic. It’s not a fantasy, and the characters aren’t “putting on an act” within their own movie. Paterson and Laura are two sweet characters, but in a genuine way. They’re easy to identify with because their lives are normal. He’s a bus driver and she’s a homemaker who pursues different ventures on the side.
The movie is a slow-paced look into their daily lives. My initial thought after watching it was that I loved the characters, but the plot was a bit boring. The thing is, I kept thinking about it, their interactions and the people Paterson encountered throughout his daily routine, and I wanted to watch it again. So far I’ve seen it several times and have noticed something new with every viewing. The only part of the movie I disliked was Paterson leaving his dog outside of a bar every night while he stopped in for a beer. The scenes inside the bar and the people there were interesting, but I couldn’t stop thinking about the dog outside.
Why is Paterson the best romance movie I’ve seen in years? Because the characters are likeable and they treat each other with respect. They’re more about being a family and supporting each other’s dreams than about sex scenes. That’s probably a strange thing for an erotic romance writer to appreciate, but I have to be honest here. Their story is subtle and sensual without being uptight. It’s not the kind of romance movie that offers a fantasy that could never happen to you (no billionaires or paranormal heroes), but one that might happen if you’re lucky enough to find the right person and be willing to work together to make each other happy.
If you want a story about real people and a couple that genuinely cares about each other, give this one a try if you haven’t already. You might be as pleasantly surprised as I was.
Links courtesy of IMDb.
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