Release Date:
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
Think of this as an arty Taxicab Confessions, but rather than crack whores and escaped mental patients pouring out their souls, it's quirky conversation between the passenger and driver. Director Jim Jarmusch offers up five stories in different cities around the world: L.A., New York, Paris, Rome, and Helsinki. Each has its own tone, and some are much better than others; but overall it's a cool experiment in concurrent story lines and how people are pretty much the same all over the world. (At least in terms of cab rides.) The standout segment is a manic Roberto Benigni peeling through the streets of Rome, followed by a really sexy blind woman riding through Paris. Since this is a Criterion release, it goes without saying all the art house nerds will lap up all the extras. Even nonfilm nerds will like it, too, since Jarmusch is a pretty cool guy. Too bad this is one of his only movies that make any sense to guys like us.