Review of Down by Law (1986) by Ratapulgo S — 21 Aug 2009
Magic Jim Jarmusch movie. Black and white, unbelievable music. Comical and revealing alike. "It's not the fall that kills you, it's the sudden stop"; "Life is a limbo dance but it's a question of where you get down not how low you can get" - these things are literally written on the walls.
Surprises arise everywhere. Not much action, but no need for it. It's not about doing things, it's about the world and the people in it."It's a sad and beautiful world" states Roberto (Benigni!) and shortly after that he lands in jail next to Jack and Zack.
Those two have been framed, but Bob (that's short English for Roberto) confesses in his terribly sweet accent: "I killed a man. (...) But I "ham" no criminal. I "ham" a good egg".
All his English knoledge are in his notebook, from which he gives out samples when he feels like it: "If looks can kill, I am dead now", when he got into the cell and the others were "observing" him, or the famous "I scream-a, you scream-a, we all scream-a for ice cream-a".
He doesn't like the prison: "No good here... for me. Is, uh... Is... Not enough room to swing a cat"; and because the others don't seem to enjoy the joke, he explains further: "Cat.
The animal". He finds a way out and, after facing the waters (the big attempt, he's the only one who can't swim) a reward awaits.
This review of Down by Law (1986) was written by Ratapulgo S on 21 Aug 2009.
Down by Law has generally received very positive reviews.
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