Review of Down by Law (1986) by Gareth M — 27 Aug 2009
Its funny I should watch this so soon after "when the levees breaks", in the sense this film puts everything more into perpective. The wonderful linear film footage at the start, of each block of streets. overladen with the tom waits song. Occasionally broken up by the 3 central characters and there stories. (the 9th ward is also mentioned, although I don't know alot about that).
Heavilly dosed up on dialogue, with long acted out scenes, made up of 3 unusual and somewhat unique characters. John Lurie is the straight guy but with a edge; Benigi is obviously in there as the zany influence but again isn't straight forward or like anything you seen before. He's neither a nutter or a idiot, nor is he simply a misinterpreted foreigner; clearly there are layers there. Finally there is Tom Waits, and I suppose you just think he is himself mumbling and plodding along as bizarre and as enchanting as his music is.
Therefore its a bit of a odd one, and could never be described as a comedy. It both blandly simple in its setting; and visually stunning in other scenes, the forests look amazing.
This review of Down by Law (1986) was written by Gareth M on 27 Aug 2009.
Down by Law has generally received very positive reviews.
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