Down by Law (film)
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| Down by Law | |
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 Promotional poster |
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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 Tom Waits |
| Cinematography | Robby Müller |
| Editing by | Melody London |
| Release date(s) | September 20, 1986 (limited) |
| Running time | 107 minutes |
| Language | English |
| Allmovie profile | |
| IMDb profile | |
Down by Law is a 1986 black-and-white independent film written and directed by Jim Jarmusch. It stars Tom Waits, John Lurie and Roberto Benigni. The film centres on the arrest, incarceration and escape from jail of three men.
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 Müller'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, was arrested for manslaughter. Zack and Jack soon come to blows and thereafter avoid speaking to each other. Bob has an irrepressible need for conversation. He 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 Jarmusch's regular cinematographer Robby Müller, who subsequently worked with Jarmusch on 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 as Zack
- John Lurie as Jack
- Roberto Benigni as Roberto
- Nicoletta Braschi as Nicoletta (Braschi is the wife of Roberto Benigni)
- Ellen Barkin as Laurette
- Billie Neal as Bobbie
- Rockets Redglare as Gig
- Vernel Bagneris as Preston
- Timothea as Julie
- L.C. Drane as L.C.
- Joy N. Houck, Jr. as Detective Mandino
- Carrie Lindsoe as Young Girl
- Ralph Joseph as Detective
- Richard Boes as Detective
- Dave Petitjean as Cajun Detective
[edit] Release
Down by Law premiered at the 1986 Cannes Film Festival.[citation needed]
