Down by Law (1986)

User Rating:

7.8/10   

Director:

Jim Jarmusch

Writer:

Jim Jarmusch (written by)

Release Date:

30 October 1986 (West Germany)

Genre:

Comedy | Crime | Drama

Tagline:

It's not where you start - It's where you start again.

Plot:

The story of three different men in a Louisiana prison and their eventual journey.

Plot Keywords:

Prison | Pimp | Escape | Prostitute | Female Full Frontal Nudity

Awards:

4 wins & 5 nominations

Cast

Tom Waits	...	Zack
John Lurie	...	Jack
Roberto Benigni	...	Roberto
Nicoletta Braschi	...	Nicoletta
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

Also Known As:

Down by Law (West Germany)
Down by Law - Alles im Griff (Germany) (TV title)

Runtime:

107 min

Country:

USA | West Germany

Language:

English | Italian

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Iceland:L | Singapore:NC-16 | Finland:K-12 | Norway:16 | Sweden:15 | UK:15 | USA:R | West Germany:12 | Australia:M

Filming Locations:

Louisiana, USA

Company:

Black Snake

Trivia:

Nicoletta Braschi, who plays the Italian woman, is Roberto Benigni's wife in real life.

Quotes:

Roberto: [looking through his book of English phrases] If looks could kill, I am a-dead now.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Unearthly (#4.20)" (1991)

Soundtrack:

It's Raining

Subtle grace masquerades as jail-break film

One of the most frequently heard criticisms of Jarmusch's work is that the pace is slow. I would like to make a case for patience. After all, if true beauty and grace were delivered in one massive hit, our poor brains and hearts would not withstand the blow. In Down By Law, Jarmusch invites us to take some time, some real time and devote it to getting deeply involved with his characters. Men in crisis. Misfits, jailbirds, heartbreakingly human. We accompany them on their journey, their escape from their confines. It is a truly epic journey on a small geographical scale. We watch as they begin to mirror one another, as their individual egos become inextricably enmeshed in one another. We watch a friendship form. And how can we begrudge the time Jarmusch takes for this glorious exposition? How can we do anything but marvel at the fine detail in which the scenes are drawn, at the subtle movements of our heroes? Every gesture signifies worlds of meaning and consequence. And Jarmusch does it better, with more skill and with more compassion than anyone. If you are prepared to get involved, if you are brave enough to commit to the journey, you will be rewarded with a kind of epiphany that few films can offer.