"The key to Jarmusch’s success is a well-defined and thoughtfully conceived stylistic approach and a coherent circle of interests. The focal point of all Jarmusch’s work is the apparent contradiction that exists between the popular perception of the American Dream and what that dream actually holds for the individual who doesn’t quite fit in. This contradiction is explored through the interaction of a characteristic ensemble of characters... Like other emerging filmmakers of his generation, such as Spike Lee, Jim Jarmusch approaches the American way of life with a sense of hip cynicism. A product of contemporary American film school savvy, Jarmusch incorporates a sense of film history, style, and awareness in his filmmaking approach. The tradition which he has chosen to follow, the one which offers him the most freedom, is that established by filmmakers such as Chabrol, Godard, and Truffaut in the 1950s and 1960s." - Rob Winning (updated by Rob Edelman), International Dictionary of Film and Filmmakers