Mystery Train by Jim Jarmusch. Ludicrously cool movie

For me, it’s in a straight fight with The Banshees if Inisherin for the best film of the year. In 2022, with consumer habits as they are, for a new director to be brave enough to adopt the approach of ‘show, don’t tell’ really is refreshing to see. The whole way through I was welling up at the beauty of the struggling dad, Callum, and how clear his love for his daughter, Sophie, is portrayed. It’s also such a fresh idea for a story, a dad who had a daughter aged 19, now 11 years on approaching his 31st birthday, I’ve never seen that dynamic before in film. He’s clearly not with the mother; was he ever with her? Is Sophie the product of a one night stand as teenagers? Does he love Sophie’s mother? If so, to what extent? What news did he congratulate her for on the phone? Is she getting married? How does Callum feel about this? The film throws up so many fantastic questions without feeling the need to pander and throw you answers. We’re allowed to fill in the blanks. Also, Paul Mescal is 26 years old. Bloody hell. What a fantastic talent

One of the most underrated movies of the 2010’s. Absolutely gorgeous piece of filmmaking