DOWN BY LAW
US, 1986, 107 minutes, Black and White.
Tom Waits, John Lurie, Roberto Benigni, Ellen Barkin, Nicoletta Braschi.
Directed by Jim Jarmusch.
Jim Jarmusch established himself as one of the most successful small-budget writer-directors from the United States of the '80s. His first film, Stranger Than Paradise, was seen world-wide. Down By Law is his second film. He went on to make the bigger budget Mystery Train and Night on Earth, an episodic film with five taxi rides in different cities. Several people collaborated with him in a number of films including John Lurie as actor and musical director, Tom Waits with his songs and Roberto Benigni, the captivating comedian of Down By Law, who was the passenger in the Rome story of Night on Earth and who went on to international fame with his Oscars for La Vita e Bella. His wife, Nicoletta Braschi also appears here.
Jarmusch likes episodic stories where characters interconnect. The setting here is New Orleans (captured most effectively in black and white photography by Robbie Mueller). The opening tracking shot is quite spectacular and the style is used at other stages of the film. The stories of Zack, a radio disc jockey thrown out by his girlfriend, connects with that of Jack, a pimp who has been set up by gangsters in the city. Wandering through is Roberto, Bob, who is an Italian delighted in the discoveries of the English language. When they all end up in jail, they escape with Bob's help, interact with each other and then go on their separate ways. The film is often very amusing in its characterisations as well as in its dialogue. Jarmusch is very effective in setting up offbeat characters and their interactions.
1. The work of Jim Jarmusch, writer-director, low budget, non-Hollywood? His perceptions of the United States and Americans?
2. The quality of the black and white photography, light and dark, shadows? The atmosphere of New Orleans? The musical score, Tom Waits's songs and his performance?
3. The meaning of the title, stooping down, because of the law? The title and the verse?
4. The opening credits and their atmosphere, the long tracking shot, New Orleans and the variety of views? Stopping at the two locations? The setting?
5. Zack, his work, the radio, the initial clash with Laurette, the strength of the fight, throwing things, the shoes? His being sent out? Wandering the streets, driving? The radio deejay ending up in jail?
6. Jack, the conversation with his girlfriend, black and white? Waking up, his relationships? Lifestyle? The pimp? The brittle discussion with his girlfriend? The visitor, the pressure? Fatso and his message? Going to the hotel, the under-age prostitute, the set-up? His being arrested?
7. Jack and the arrest because of the young girl? Zack and the driving of the car, the body in the boot? Going to prison, the process of going into prison, the two in the same cell, ignoring each other, communicating, clashing, fighting, the bond between them? The long cinematic takes, tracking along the cells and the bars? The effect for the audience? In jail, empathy with the characters?
8. The introduction to Roberto? The first glimpse, his English, noting things down? Phrases? His arrival at the prison, talking? Their sleeping and ignoring him? Their curiosity? His talking, his phrase book, getting names mixed up? His personality and style? The Italian background? Jack and Zack denying what they were charged with? His calmly announcing his crime, the killing and the cheating? His bunk, the hiccups, the smoking...?
9. Bob's genial mood, changing Jack and Zack, the bonds between them? Jack getting Zack to do his radio routine and the weather? Bob and their variations on `I scream for ice cream'? The close-ups of Bob, his love for Walt Whitman, Bob Frost?
10. The escape: the idea, the plan, drawing the window? It being easy to get out? The audience memories of prison escape films - especially in the South? The chases, the swamps and the bayous, getting tired, on the run, the water, not being able to swim? Canoeing? Walking? Hungry? The rabbit and eating it, anger, separation?
11. Walking along the road, Luigi's Tin Top? Nicoletta and her place there? Bob going in, the others waiting, the sharing? Nicoletta's story, their eating, sleeping, dancing to the record? Clothes and the food - and the farewell?
12. Bob and his new life, `Wish you were here'? Jack and Zack at the crossroads - and the different directions?
13. The range of portraits, types, the focus on men (and women)? Foibles, eccentricities, good and evil? Relationships? Comic insights?
