Permanent Vacation Reviews

A road film of sorts about an alienated youth who wanders the deserted streets of New York City meeting a variety of people, and visiting his girl friend and his ailing mother. The film presents its characters in a series of vignettes rather than in a traditional story. While it gives evidence of cinematic skill, it has a tendency to draw attention to its film-school parentage. Jim Jarmusch, a former NYU student, produced the 16mm film on a miniscule budget. After befriending Nicholas Ray and Wim Wenders, Jarmusch pieced together a similar but far more successful picture, STRANGER THAN PARADISE, featuring John Lurie. Lurie, who is blessed with one of the most photogenic faces in recent years, also contributes much to the atmosphere of PERMANENT VACATION with his moody sax solos.