Review of Down by Law (1986) by Steff A — 28 May 2013

Classic Jarmusch. This is a cool, easy-going, kinda strolling instead of rolling film and it shows. It's a film about the little moments. The boredom, the silence, the looks between the characters, their little habits and behaviours. Essentialy it's a prison break film but one that omits the actual escape. That works greatly and allows the filmmaker to focus on the characters and their strange relationship. It is a relationship made in the prison but ends up being very amusing for us to watch, very hard and problematic but also relieving for the characters.

Our three characters are Jack, Zack and Roberto. One pimp, one DJ and one card cheater. The first two were framed into prison, the other one actually killed a guy. Accidentally of course and in true Jarmusch style. Jack and Zack are the ones for which we learn some sort of backstory and they also hate each other. Trying to play it cool, break each other's balls and try to keep their privacy in their little tight cell. Roberto serves as the catalyst between them, as the jester from outter space who cames to change their boring existence and bring them together in their escape. He is always full of life and has a story to tell. He's a great character and he certainly brightens up the movie. All three characters are well rounded and keep the viewer interested in the movie. After all Jarmusch is known for writting interesting characters in strange situations.

The acting is amazing with Tom Waits, John Lurie and Roberto Benigni being in great form. I really liked Tom's behaviour and body language, Lurie's silence and "I simply don't care attitude" and Benigni is just being Benigni. Charming, strange and always funny just propeling the picture forward with his performance in a great way. I just don't know if I've missed one monologue of Benigni due to lack of subtitles or if it was supposed to be without subtitles. He gave a very good panic performance during that monologue.

The movie is brilliantly directed and reminds us of "Stranger than Paradise" only this time the camera isn't so static. Jarmusch uses travelling in a great way to create the tone of the movie with the landscapes and the cinematography of the movie is outstanding. Crisp black and white is the name of the game and the DP has it greatly. The movie is simply beautiful with the picturesque shots accenting the atmosphere and helping the screenplay transcend to another level.

This is another film about life from Jarmusch that echoes the French New Wave, has the characters kind of just being in the picture and spawns its narrative from spontaneus decisions and random events. It's a good style for Jarmusch because he handles his naturalism with ease and comfort. He is definitely the best director in handling a picture that way and his pictures almost always stand on that fine border between naturalism and stretched almost fantasy situations.

Last but not least the music keeps good company to the film with the two songs by Tom Wait's album "Rain Dogs" standing out. That's my review. And as Roberto says "It is a sad and beautiful world.".