Down By Law - Jim Jarmusch film

 

I got this film for Xmas last year from my lovely wife, but since it's rare that we even turn on our TV's and its even rarer that we pick out a movie to watch, this has sat idle for nearly a year! But, after reading the John Lurie book (and after watching Jarmusch's Only Lovers Left Alive recently), and having an evening to kill, I finally pulled this out. I can't remember the last time I saw this, but it was probably not long after its 1986 release.

Besides Lurie, the film stars Tom Waits (most likely the reason that I saw it in the first place as I've been a fan of Waits since the mid-70's) and Roberto Benigni in an unlikely buddy pic. Taking place in New Orleans, Waits and Lurie are set up and arrested, ending up in the same cell as Benigni, who eventually helps them escape into the bayou. The film revolves around the interaction between the three in close quarters, conversing, playing cards, going a bit stir crazy and even fighting - a couple of pretty hilarious scenes with Lurie and Waits not even pretending their fisticuffs are serious.

Shot in black and white with Robbie Muller's beautifully emotive, slow-moving camera work, which shows the seedier side of New Orleans (really made me miss the city, though) through its unique and wonderful architecture, along with the interior of an even seedier jail and, eventually, the neighboring swamplands. 

Two of Waits' tunes from Rain Dogs appear in the film and the incidental music is all done by Lurie and the two Italian actors who fall in love in the movie got married in real life, making this all a kind of family affair (Lurie also claims that he is the one who got Jarmusch started in filmmaking). 

Nicely filmed, great locations, fun acting and nice chemistry between the actors make this a great flick all around. I'll have to revisit Jamusch's other films now!