Down by Law (film)
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| Down by Law | |
|---|---|
 Promotional poster for Down by Law |
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| Directed by | Jim Jarmusch |
| Produced by | Alan Kleinberg |
| Written by | Jim Jarmusch |
| Starring | Tom Waits John Lurie Roberto Benigni |
| Music by | John Lurie and Tom Waits |
| Cinematography | Robby Muller |
| Release date(s) |  May 1986 (premiere at Cannes) 20 September 1986 (limited) |
| Running time | 107 min. |
| Language | English Italian |
| IMDb profile | |
Down by Law (1986) is the fourth feature film by director Jim Jarmusch. The film was written by Jarmusch and is in black-and-white. The film centres on the arrest, incarceration and escape from jail of three men: Zack (Tom Waits), Jack (John Lurie), and Bob (Roberto Benigni). The film discards jailbreak film conventions by focusing on the interaction between the three men rather than on the mechanics of the escape. A key element in the film is Robby Muller's slow-moving camerawork, which captures the architecture of New Orleans and the Louisiana bayou to which the cellmates escape.
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[edit] Synopsis
Three men, previously unknown to each other, are arrested in New Orleans and placed in the same cell. Both Zack, a DJ, and Jack, a pimp, have been set up, neither having committed the crime for which they have been arrested. Their cellmate, Bob, however, although the only true innocent of the three, is in fact guilty of the manslaughter for which he has been arrested. Zack and Jack soon come to blows and thereafter try to avoid speaking to each other. Bob, however, has an irrepressible need for conversation and will not be silenced by the immature, sulking ne'er-do-wells. Bob hatches a plan to escape, and before long the three are on the run through the swamp surrounding the prison. Hopelessly lost and with a simmering hatred between Jack and Zack almost causing the party to split up, they are brought together by Bob's ability to provide food. The three chance across a house in the forest, the residence of Nicoletta. Bob and Nicoletta fall instantly in love, and Bob decides to stay with her in the forest. Zack and Jack go their separate ways, an unspoken, begrudging friendship hanging between them as they part.
[edit] Production
The cinematography is by Jarmuasch's regular cinematographer Robby Muller (Paris, Texas (1984), Repo Man (1984), Buena Vista Social Club (1999)), who has also worked with Jarmusch on more recent projects such as Mystery Train (1989), Dead Man (1995) and Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai (1999). The film stars musician Tom Waits, along with Jarmusch regulars John Lurie and Roberto Benigni. The music for the film was written by Lurie, and the songs "Jockey Full of Bourbon" and "Tango Till They're Sore" by Waits also feature.
[edit] Cast
- Tom Waits — Zack
- John Lurie — Jack
- Roberto Benigni — Roberto
- Nicoletta Braschi — Nicoletta (Braschi is the wife of Roberto Benigni)
- Ellen Barkin — Laurette
- Billie Neal — Bobbie
- Rockets Redglare — Gig
- Vernel Bagneris — Preston
- Timothea — Julie
- L.C. Drane — L. C
- Joy N. Houck, Jr. — Detective Mandino
- Carrie Lindsoe — Young Girl
- Ralph Joseph — Detective
- Richard Boes — Detective
- Dave Petitjean — Cajun Detective
