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Zack and Jack are, on the surface, very different. One is an unemployed disc-jockey, the other is a down-on-his-luck pimp. Different and yet, they're very similar. Both are struggling to stay afloat, while apparently dangling from troublesome relationships. "Why do you always gotta go fu¢k up your own future?", says Laurette to Zack. "You always f-uckin up today", says Bobbie to Jack. Both their lives messed up and about to be messed up more, maybe?
Down by Law follows these two men, played by Tom Waits and John Lurie, who don't know each other and yet they both end up framed for different crimes and put in the same jail cell. Up on each other's face, their differences constantly come afloat, until a new cellmate comes in the form of Roberto (Roberto Benigni), a friendly Italian tourist that's imprisoned for involuntary manslaughter.
It is Roberto the one who serves as a sort of connection between the quarreling Zack and Jack. His lively demeanor and friendly persona helps bring them together. The film focuses in their interactions as they spend time together in jail, and eventually decide to escape into the Louisiana bayou. Can they put their differences and bickering aside and not fu¢k up today?
This is my first Jim Jarmusch film. I asked on Twitter what film of his should I watch first, and was surprised by how dispersed the votes were across his filmography, which is a good thing. Nevertheless, this is the one that ended up with most votes, recommended by a couple of people I trust, and what a pleasant surprise it was.
Despite a seemingly formulaic premise, Down by Law doesn't abide by the regular tropes of "prison escape" films. There are no flashes, nor bangs. There is no nail-biting escape. What Jarmusch gives us is a laid-back and relaxed look at how the bond between these three different men evolves. He does so with some great, effortless performances by all three leads, some skilfull direction, and a striking black and white cinematography by Robby Müller.
As we see them fight, sing, bond, laugh, escape, run for their lives, fight again, laugh again, we see all three learn to work their differences, while maybe not f-ucking up today or their future. This is the kind of film that you can't help but smile at, one that certainly won't fu¢k up your today.
Grade:
DOWN BY LAW
(1986, Jarmusch)
A film from Jim Jarmusch
(1986, Jarmusch)
A film from Jim Jarmusch
"You always makin' big plans for tomorrow. You know why? Because you always f-uckin' up today."
Zack and Jack are, on the surface, very different. One is an unemployed disc-jockey, the other is a down-on-his-luck pimp. Different and yet, they're very similar. Both are struggling to stay afloat, while apparently dangling from troublesome relationships. "Why do you always gotta go fu¢k up your own future?", says Laurette to Zack. "You always f-uckin up today", says Bobbie to Jack. Both their lives messed up and about to be messed up more, maybe?
Down by Law follows these two men, played by Tom Waits and John Lurie, who don't know each other and yet they both end up framed for different crimes and put in the same jail cell. Up on each other's face, their differences constantly come afloat, until a new cellmate comes in the form of Roberto (Roberto Benigni), a friendly Italian tourist that's imprisoned for involuntary manslaughter.
It is Roberto the one who serves as a sort of connection between the quarreling Zack and Jack. His lively demeanor and friendly persona helps bring them together. The film focuses in their interactions as they spend time together in jail, and eventually decide to escape into the Louisiana bayou. Can they put their differences and bickering aside and not fu¢k up today?
This is my first Jim Jarmusch film. I asked on Twitter what film of his should I watch first, and was surprised by how dispersed the votes were across his filmography, which is a good thing. Nevertheless, this is the one that ended up with most votes, recommended by a couple of people I trust, and what a pleasant surprise it was.
Despite a seemingly formulaic premise, Down by Law doesn't abide by the regular tropes of "prison escape" films. There are no flashes, nor bangs. There is no nail-biting escape. What Jarmusch gives us is a laid-back and relaxed look at how the bond between these three different men evolves. He does so with some great, effortless performances by all three leads, some skilfull direction, and a striking black and white cinematography by Robby Müller.
As we see them fight, sing, bond, laugh, escape, run for their lives, fight again, laugh again, we see all three learn to work their differences, while maybe not f-ucking up today or their future. This is the kind of film that you can't help but smile at, one that certainly won't fu¢k up your today.
Grade: