Paterson (2016)

A week in the life of a bus driver (Adam Driver) in Paterson, New Jersey. He drives his bus, writes poetry, walks his English bulldog (Nellie), visits the local bar while encouraging his Indian girlfriend (Golshifteh Farahani) in her creative efforts. Directed by Jim Jarmusch, this plotless film may be trying for those who keep waiting for something to "happen" but if you're disposed to quiet movies about ordinary people living their lives, this is a lovely film. I'm not much of a Jarmusch fan but this movie slowly, very slowly, crept up on me and I ended up liking it a lot. Driver gives a wonderfully understated performance in contrast to Farahani's actressy performance as his ditzy girlfriend who can't decide if she wants to be a cupcake entrepreneur or a country and western singer. Indeed, I have to give kudos to casting directors Ellen Lewis and Meghan Rafferty who've filled every part with actors who look like real people as opposed to 8x10 glossy actor types. As Marvin, the late Nellie gives a scene stealing performance and the film dedicates the film in her memory.