Down by Law

Director: Jim Jarmusch

2 April 2024

See

Him: Zack (Tom Waits) is a radio DJ down in New Orleans, his girlfriend kicks him out for not stepping up. Meanwhile Jack (John Lurie), a pimp, is put onto a young Cajun girl who will change his fortunes, but she turns out to be underage and a set up. Both drinking, gambling degenerates end up in Louisiana swamp prison (Angola?) with Roberto (Roberto Benini) an Italian in America at the wrong place, wrong time and also gets locked up in circumstances out of his control.

Think

Him: I’m not supposed to be here, is the famous line a maladaptive inmate cries out at lights out in Shawshank Redemption. Neither are this trio. Yet here they are. How did I never notice Roberto Benini before Life is Beautiful. I remember his famous Oscar speech stand on seatbacks at the awards ceremony when Sophia Loren read out his name, he said he’d leave the Oscar and take her. He’s magnetic. Like I’ve never seen before, not having been a fan of other famous clown performers like Charlie Chaplin or Buster Keaton. I came to appreciate the art form only once I saw Russian clown Slava Polunin’s Snow Show live. Perhaps Robin Williams’ is the closest comparison of an actor who can do tragicomedy.

Feel

Him: The swaps of Louisiana are as alluring as Jack the pimp. But probably just as dangerous. He’s so slick and self assured, even if it’s all bravado. John Lurie is yet another actor I’ve not noticed before. I don’t know if I like Tom Waits’ acting, or music. I know how I feel about Roberto and NOLA.