Review of Sweet and Lowdown (1999) by Jens T — 17 Oct 2012

Woody Allen's Sweet and Lowdown is a story that focuses one of Woody's greatest hobbies, which in this case is Jazz music, in which case we follow the story of the fictional Jazz guitarist Emmet Ray (Sean Penn) whom is the second greatest guitarist in the world, right after Django Reinhardt. This takes place in the 1920s. He's has a restless personality and is often late or forget his concerts. He loves parting, alcohol, women and to shoot rats with his gun. But one day when he and his friend is up for some women, Emmet gets a deaf girl named Hattie (Samantha Morton) whom Emmet seems to find very interesting, because she seems interested in him. So she follows him where ever he goes, but Emmet might have some other urges that Hattie can not fulfill.

Sweet and Lowdown is by all means not based on real events, even though it features some interviews with some Jazz people, including Woody himself. But what I liked about this film is that it has multiple alternative endings, because Emmet disappeared and no one really know what really happened to him, so it's with out a doubt an filmmakers treat. And Samantha Morton's performance is almost indescribable, she's just a sweet-pea, her facial express give us more than words, and we become curious about her character and wants to know more. Overall it's a good film, with the good structured characters and the right tone. Thumbs up.