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Down By Law Reviews

1986

70
from 3650 members

Jim Jarmusch follows his groundbreaking Stranger Than Paradise with another rambling, character-driven film with a twisted sense of humor. Set in a seedy New Orleans summer, Down By Law details the meeting of three unlikely convicts and their just as unlikely escape. Zack (Tom Waits) is an out-of-work DJ who is accused of .. Read more

Starring	Chris Parker, Tom Waits, Leila Gastil, John Lurie
Director	Jim Jarmusch
Genres	Comedy

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Critic's review of Down By Law
View all critics' reviews (3)
- Included in the New York Times "10 BEST FILMS OF 1986"
- 9358
- - New York Times
  - 11 Mar 2005 at 12:58
Write your own review »
Most helpful member's review of Down By Law
View all members' reviews (13)
- - 11
  - 1
  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 '... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 300090
- [Highly rated reviewer]
  - Andyhjam
  - 11 reviews
  - Stockport
  - 22 Feb 2004 at 22:28
Most recent members' reviews of Down By Law
View all members' reviews (13)
- - 0
  - 0
  "Zack! Jack! Jack! Zack!"
  
  Beautiful cinematography, great script, endearing characters that have been superbly written.
  
  I love the way that Jack & Zack both believe ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 1023375
- - slapalice
  - 1 review
  - 30 Jul 2011 at 16:35
- - 0
  - 0
  A scream!
  
  Lovely looking, almost neo-realist tale of entrapment and the ensuing mania. Lightly amusing and brusque, with the two leads posturing to allow full rein to the... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 963560
- - russio
  - 144 reviews
  - Harlow
  - 13 Feb 2011 at 10:34
- - 0
  - 0
  Swinging Cats
  
  This is one were you have to cut it up yourself, then chew slowly. It cannot be sucked through a straw.
  
  This is about vibe, and you can't write ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 896934
- - chenny
  - 62 reviews
  - Bristol
  - 07 Jun 2010 at 21:11
- - 0
  - 0
  Great pastiche
  
  Surprisingly good film. Quite slow but you soon get into the rhythm and appreciate the pace to take in the acting, dialogue and music. A great performance from ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 509152
- - Philipo
  - 17 reviews
  - London
  - 04 Jan 2008 at 22:21
- - 0
  - 0
  Down but not out
  
  A slow-burning, downbeat black and white Jarmusch mood piece, stark as trees in winter, that never quite takes off despite excellent performances and some ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 389321
- - ahorovitz
  - 42 reviews
  - Stroud
  - 27 Nov 2006 at 18:05
- - 0
  - 0
  Jarmusch at his best
  
  The perfect combination of Tom Waits & John Lurie acting super-cool and Roberto Benigni providing one of the funniest and most surreal performances in ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 212408
- - NorwichTim
  - 26 reviews
  - UK
  - 28 Feb 2006 at 11:53
- - 1
  - 0
  What a Classic
  
  I found this a very entertaining film well shot and very funny with brilliant acting!
  
  Report this review
- 182855
- - a customer
  - Norwich England
  - 08 Dec 2005 at 11:01
- - 9
  - 2
  Patience
  
  If all you know about movies is fast paced action/romantic drama from the last 20 years then forget this.
  
  If you know older, classic movies then you ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 66250
- - a customer
  - Nottingham, England
  - 22 Jan 2005 at 18:25
- - 4
  - 9
  Fell asleep.......
  
  So obviously it wasn't very gripping. SLOW is the word.
  
  Next morning had no desire to see the end either.
  
  Report this review
- 317128
- - spud69
  - London
  - 22 Dec 2004 at 13:41
- - 0
  - 0
  Jarmusch at his most melancholic
  
  Sparse filmmaking from Jarmusch, detailing the imprisonment and escape of three typically excentric characters. Little happens, yet it is never dull - the hip ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 315875
- - iggsta
  - England
  - 05 Dec 2004 at 15:49
View all members' reviews (13)

- - 11
  - 1
  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 '... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 300090
- [Highly rated reviewer]
  - Andyhjam
  - 11 reviews
  - Stockport
  - 22 Feb 2004 at 22:28
- - 9
  - 2
  Patience
  
  If all you know about movies is fast paced action/romantic drama from the last 20 years then forget this.
  
  If you know older, classic movies then you ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 66250
- - a customer
  - Nottingham, England
  - 22 Jan 2005 at 18:25
- - 4
  - 0
  Slow moving ...
  
  Slow moving atmospheric, character development, poignancy and depth make this black comedy a slow film to watch with great effect. Need lots of time and ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 43556
- - Amitabh#1
  - CHIPPENHAM
  - 09 Aug 2004 at 22:16
- - 1
  - 0
  What a Classic
  
  I found this a very entertaining film well shot and very funny with brilliant acting!
  
  Report this review
- 182855
- - a customer
  - Norwich England
  - 08 Dec 2005 at 11:01
- - 0
  - 0
  Jarmusch at his best
  
  The perfect combination of Tom Waits & John Lurie acting super-cool and Roberto Benigni providing one of the funniest and most surreal performances in ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 212408
- - NorwichTim
  - 26 reviews
  - UK
  - 28 Feb 2006 at 11:53
- - 0
  - 0
  Jarmusch at his most melancholic
  
  Sparse filmmaking from Jarmusch, detailing the imprisonment and escape of three typically excentric characters. Little happens, yet it is never dull - the hip ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 315875
- - iggsta
  - England
  - 05 Dec 2004 at 15:49
- - 0
  - 0
  Down but not out
  
  A slow-burning, downbeat black and white Jarmusch mood piece, stark as trees in winter, that never quite takes off despite excellent performances and some ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 389321
- - ahorovitz
  - 42 reviews
  - Stroud
  - 27 Nov 2006 at 18:05
- - 0
  - 0
  Great pastiche
  
  Surprisingly good film. Quite slow but you soon get into the rhythm and appreciate the pace to take in the acting, dialogue and music. A great performance from ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 509152
- - Philipo
  - 17 reviews
  - London
  - 04 Jan 2008 at 22:21
- - 0
  - 0
  Swinging Cats
  
  This is one were you have to cut it up yourself, then chew slowly. It cannot be sucked through a straw.
  
  This is about vibe, and you can't write ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 896934
- - chenny
  - 62 reviews
  - Bristol
  - 07 Jun 2010 at 21:11
- - 0
  - 0
  A scream!
  
  Lovely looking, almost neo-realist tale of entrapment and the ensuing mania. Lightly amusing and brusque, with the two leads posturing to allow full rein to the... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 963560
- - russio
  - 144 reviews
  - Harlow
  - 13 Feb 2011 at 10:34

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Buy from Amazon.co.uk

- - Buy
- Down By Law
  
  Jim Jarmusch follows his groundbreaking Stranger Than Paradise with another rambling, character-driven film with a twisted sense of humor. Set in a seedy New Orleans summer, Down By Law details the meeting of three unlikely convicts and their just as unlikely escape. Zack (Tom Waits) is an out-of-...