For this week, we have the blog’s first Jim Jarmusch review. He’s another filmmaker I’ve always been interested in, ever since I first saw his film Dead Man many years ago. I was going to go down the line with his filmography, but his first film Stranger than Paradise didn’t vibe with me, so I went for his second one instead. This one worked a little better for me, though I’m still not sure it’s a major favorite. It’s very much a small movie about a few characters with a cool vibe and cinematography, it probably won’t be life-changing, but if you vibe with the characters and the film’s feel, then you’ll like it quite a bit. I’ll give you an idea of the story that you’re in for.
The film follows three guys: Zack, a struggling radio DJ; Jack, a struggling pimp; and Bob, a struggling Italian tourist. All three of them seem to have no clear direction in life and are mostly just spinning their wheels (and in Bob’s case, he’s just trying his best to understand and get on in America). Their lives cross when they’re all thrown in prison together in the same cell. Both Zack and Jack were set up (Zack was hired to drive a car which turned out to have a dead body in the trunk, and Jack was offered the prospect of a new young prostitute who turned out to be way too young) while Bob accidentally killed a man (he angered some men in a card game and one started throwing pool balls at him, so he threw one right back and cracked the guy’s skull). Zack and Jack clearly have some tension between them, but Bob tries to keep everyone’s spirits up, which has about a fifty percent success rate. However, their luck changes when Bob figures out a way to break out, and the three of them manage to pull it off. The rest of the film follows them on the run through the Louisiana swamps, and the various trials and tribulations they face along the way (finding a place to sleep, using a boat with a slow leak, etc.). Zack and Jack’s tension comes to a head at one point, and practically results in the dissolution of the group, though they manage to keep it together a bit longer. Can this ragtag trio stick it out together and make it through? I’ll let you all see for yourselves, so for now, let’s talk about my thoughts on this film.
Right off the bat, I want to say that it was pretty cool to see Tom Waits, John Lurie, and Roberto Benigni in a film together, and each of them plays their roles very well. Waits really gives off the sense of someone who’s wayward and doesn’t really care anymore, but still wants something out of life and doesn’t really know how to get it (or thinks he can’t have it). Lurie captures a similar feel, but in a slightly more composed way (less “wasted,” I guess you could say). Benigni, on the other hand, is just great as the vibrant guy who’s trying to keep everyone else going and lift their spirits but isn’t always the best at it. It’s fun to see them play off each other throughout the film, which is especially good, seeing as they’re practically the only characters for a majority of the runtime. That’s one interesting thing about Down by Law: even though it involves a prison escape/on the lam scenario, there isn’t really any focus on the surrounding situation (as in, the cops trying to find them and such). Heck, you don’t even see the escape plan itself, just the aftermath. With the exception of the establishing scenes in the beginning and the finale, the three guys are pretty much on their own, just dealing with their situation and each other. It kind of gives off an interesting vibe, almost like you’re just as wayward and directionless as they are in this situation, since you have no idea of what’s going on beyond them. In a way, I guess you could say the film gives you an impression of both the guys’ current situation and their lives as a whole through this sort of presentation, and the cinematography definitely helps with that. The film is entirely black and white, just like Dead Man and Stranger than Paradise (I’m wondering if this is a trademark of Jarmusch’s filmmaking). This choice helps to give across the feel of the characters’ lives and their surroundings being down and “colorless,” just stuck in a malaise of no progress or self-fulfillment. It also enhances the uncertain vibe when they’re on the run, helping to give you the feeling of not knowing where you are, where you’re going, or what might happen to you. The world looks familiar, but the lack of color makes it feel somewhat foreign. The film’s soundscape backs up the cinematography as well, since it tends to be rather quiet with only the occasional downbeat song coming through (usually provided by Tom Waits himself). This sense of emptiness works for both the defeatist first half and the hazy second half, it’s cool when a choice like that can enhance two different vibes in the same film. In general, I think cool is a good word to describe this film. Not cool in an actiony sort of way, more so cool in a “beatnik/street” kind of way. It’s the kind of film that’s probably not going to blow your mind or anything, and also won’t appeal to everyone, but will definitely click with some folks in a major way. Personally, I can’t say that I was totally into it in that way, I just think it’s not a bad little film for the most part. I’m probably not going to jump at the bit to see it again, but it was a cool time for what it was. Before I wrap up, I also want to say that it was great seeing Nicoletta Braschi in here too. She and Benigni must love working together (and just straight love each other, I’d hope, since they’ve been together for many years). I think that’s about all I have to say, so I’ll stop here for today.
So, yeah, Down by Law is not a bad film at all. Hopefully, I have described the film and my thoughts well enough that you can decide if it’s for you or not. I’m not sure how many other Jarmusch films I’ll tackle for this blog, but I would at least like to try one or two more. I think there’s something to his filmmaking, I’ve just only found one film so far where it really clicked with me. This is why it’s important to watch multiple films by a director or writer or other, since a jump to conclusions about their work could prevent you from experiencing something you’d like. Anyway, go give Down by Law a watch, and I’ll see you all next time.