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Down By Law
1986
A disc jockey, a pimp, and an Italian tourist end up in the same jail cell in this comedy from acclaimed director Jim Jarmusch. Eventually, the trio escapes into the wilds of Louisiana, with no refuge in sight. As the three harmless fugitives, Tom Waits, John Lurie, and Roberto Benigni each deliver supremely engaging .. Read more
| Starring | Chris Parker, Tom Waits, Leila Gastil, John Lurie |
|---|---|
| Director | Jim Jarmusch |
| Genres | Drama |
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Down By Law
A disc jockey, a pimp, and an Italian tourist end up in the same jail cell in this comedy from acclaimed director Jim Jarmusch. Eventually, the trio escapes into the wilds of Louisiana, with no refuge in sight. As the three harmless fugitives, Tom Waits, John Lurie, and Roberto Benigni each deliver supremely engaging performances. Filmed in crisp black and white, DOWN BY LAW is a sweet comedy that shows Jarmusch only continues to grow as an artist.
| Starring | Chris Parker, Tom Waits, Leila Gastil, John Lurie, Roberto Benigni, Ellen Barkin, Ruth Bolton, Richard Boes, Eszter Balint, Richard Edson, Cecillia Stark, Danny Rosen, Tom DiCillo, Robert Benigni, Ellen Barkan |
|---|---|
| Director | Jim Jarmusch |
| Studio | OPTIMUM RELEASING HOME ENTERTAINMENT |
| Run time | DVD: 1 hr 46 mins |
| Certificate | |
| Collections | New releases |
| Genres | Drama |
| Language | DVD: English |
| Released | DVD: 12 May 2008 Production year: 1986 |
| Format | DVD |
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Critics' reviews (4)
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Jim Jarmusch's uneven but stylish comédie noire is an astute mixture of prison picture, road movie and downbeat screwball. Posturing hard men Tom Waits and John Lurie find themselves sharing a cell after they are framed for transporting a corpse and corrupting a minor respectively. Their petty feuding is interrupted by chatty new cellmate Roberto Benigni, who soon devises an escape plan. As the excellent soundtrack testifies, Waits and Lurie are more effectively paired as songwriters than performers, but they offer solid support to the brilliant Benigni, whose pidgin prattling is a joy.
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Included in the New York Times "10 BEST FILMS OF 1986"
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Most helpful member's review
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11 out of 12 people found this review helpful
Impressive early work of talented filmaker
This is an intriguing film that despite an unsure start proves very watchable and stylish.
Shot entirely in black and white there are plenty of 'indie' stylistic choices and compositions. From the director of "Ghost Dog: Way of the Samurai", Jim Jaramusch, it is inspiring to see such a proficient early work.
Bertolucci is a really entertaining character and his presence drives an otherwise plodding narrative. There is no particular genre applied, as with many indie features, but if you are a fan of Jaramusch or a budding filmmaker, then this film is useful to see the kind of panache and style that can be achieved on low-budget independent projects.
Given a chance I think this film will impress even the most mainstream viewer, but on the other hand it could well fly over their head. A downside maybe the absence of an engrossing storyline as the character development is all the story offered.
Regardless, if you rent this film chances are you are already intrigued so enjoy a good quality film from a very modern director. -
Most recent members' review
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1 out of 1 person found this review helpful
What a Classic
I found this a very entertaining film well shot and very funny with brilliant acting!
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Down By Law
A disc jockey, a pimp, and an Italian tourist end up in the same jail cell in this comedy from acclaimed director Jim Jarmusch. Eventually, the trio escapes into the wilds of Louisiana, with no refuge in sight. As the three harmless fugitives, Tom Waits, John Lurie, and Roberto Benigni each deliver ...
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