Down by Law (1986)

After creating one of the breakthrough movies of the American independent cinema, Stranger than Paradise, Jim Jarmusch stayed right in the same minimalist, oddball, black-and-white groove. Down by Law takes place in Louisiana, where two losers (musicians Tom Waits and John Lurie) find themselves stuck in a jail cell together. One day they are joined by a boisterous Italian (Roberto Benigni), and the chemistry changes--suddenly an escape attempt is on the horizon. Conventional drama is not Jarmusch's intention; one of the emotional high points of this movie is the three guys marching around their prison cell shouting, "I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream!" Yet the deadpan style creates its own humorous mood, underscored by melancholy (also underscored by the music of Lurie and the gravel-voiced songs of Waits). This was the first American film for Roberto Benigni, the Italian comedian (Life Is Beautiful), and he lights it up with his effervescent clowning. Jarmusch has said that Down by Law forms a loose trilogy with Stranger than Paradise and the subsequent Mystery Train, a triptych of disaffected, drifting life in the United States. Few filmmakers have ever surveyed ennui so entertainingly. --Robert Horton Amazon.com

Melancholy delight

This won a lot of raves when it came out. As usual, not much happens. But you get a lot of profound, elongated moments when meaningful glances are made that seem to add up to more than they appear. They don't, but it's fun to watch a young Tom Waits. Great soundtrack, as usual. Pretty silly, really. Especially the Italian restaurant in the middle of nowhere. Many extras for buffs only, though the phone interview of Tom Waits is funny. August 8, 2008

Summertime, and the livin's not easy

This b&w treasure, starring a very young (and ALWAYS fabulous) Tom Waits & Roberto Benigni, features a brief bit at the beginning showcasing the talent of an equally young (playing totally crazed) Ellen Barkin. The action takes place in & around New Orleans and the Bayou, with a fair section set in the Orleans Parish Prison, where, more than ever actually planning an escape, Waits (Zach), Benigni (Bob), and John Lurie (Jack) build a working relationship. Unlikely? Maybe. Dysfunctional? Definitely. Entertaining? Always.
The first half may seem a little slow paced to some; if one is a bit patient, the film is WELL worth it. The music is low-key jazz with Tom Waits singing, and the atmosphere pure poverty-stricken, stifling, Southern summer. August 6, 2008

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Of all the artists in any medium who seem to get a lot of credit for doing very little Jim Jarmusch takes the cake. This movie seems like something thrown together as a lark by a few buddies after a few beers. I guess advocates of anti-hollywood artyness needed a new posterchild and Jarmusch was in the right place at the right time with the right haircut. November 28, 2007

Jarmusch at his best

On Stranger than Paradise, one could be forgiven if they felt Jim Jarmusch was being a little pretentious. As minimalist no budget film making, there were lots of those so called artsty shots that cojure up a laundry list of foreign art house directors. But Stranger than Paradise was not only a watershed moment for the American indie film, it also set the stage for Jarmusch as a great indie film director and it was the stepping stool for the great Down by Law, arguably his best work.

Like Stranger than Paradise, Down By Law follows of a trio of losers. While the characters in Stranger than Paradise were living possibly on pipe dreams, Down by Law's trio are losers of the worst kind. Tom Waits plays a down on his luck DJ set up delivering a car that, unbeknownst to him, carries a dead body while John Lurie plays a pimp, also set up to meet a possible new employee. This basic setup allows both characters to meet up with Roberto Benigni in jail, escape, and get down and dirty in the swamps of Louisiana.

One of the most remarkable things about the film is the feeling evoked by the long takes, emphasizing minimalist film making and allow us to watch, feel, and observe these characters. There is a degree of mistrust, annoyance, and friendship that exists between our three "heroes" as they wander through Louisiana. As outsiders, we feel it all. Jarmusch's long takes seem like they say nothing. Some argue that nothing is going on. The beauty of the scenes is the patience they reward the viewer. Instead of quickly flashing to the next scene, we get the feeling of despair, hopelessness, and even apathy as the three character reside in prison.

On this film, Jarmusch found a brilliant collaborator in Robby Muller who serves as director of photography on this film. Capturing the mood and feel of New Orleans from the opening montage through the dingy swamps, it's the fourth main character. Jarmusch comments on the disc that he specifically chose not to shoot the more tourist areas. We get a feeling of blue infected south, that is only emphasized by John Luries sporadic jazz/blues inspired score.

Like all of Jarmusch's works, there really isn't a "plot" per se. Yes the main characters are wrongfully imprisoned and consequently escape, but this is not a fast paced action drams. It's mostly a character study. Watching the interactions between the three characters is precious. Lurie and Waits have excellent exchanges and are great here, despite the fact they are not traditional actors. As their foil, Roberto Benigni provides a somewhat madcap (though according to Jarmusch, somewhat restrained) performance, easily stealing the show and providing a hint of color to an ironically black and white film.

This edition is another excellent entry from Criterion. While Jarmusch doesn't provide a commentary (he doesn't do em, so don't ask), he talks a good while on every aspect you'd like to know about the film in a set of audio only reflections. There is also a very entertaining q&a from fans, phone calls to the stars of the film, and a video of Waits directed by Jarmusch and much more. October 15, 2007

Down by Law

An oddball road movie with three of the quirkiest characters you're likely to encounter, "Law" is a hilariously deadpan portrayal of hipster cool on the skids. Waits is perfectly cast as Zack, a struggling record spinner with a gravelly voice like Wolfman Jack's, and long-faced New York musician Lurie is excellent as the scowling, caustic Jack. Of course, irrepressible Italian comedian Benigni steals virtually every scene he's in (which is pretty much the second half of the movie), but the three have a punchy rapport nevertheless. Watch for Ellen Barkin in her first screen appearance as Zack's fed-up girlfriend. Witty and melancholic, "Down By Law" is tailor-made for off-kilter tastes. July 6, 2007

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