Movie Review: Down by Law (1986)
Down by Law (1986)
Director: Jim Jarmusch
I think this is a film that Netflix recommended for us, based on our ratings, and Katie added it to the queue. It was...interesting.
The first thing you notice that the film is shot in stunning black and white. Throughout the entire film, Jarmusch uses extremely long takes that really draws the audience in. There's not a lot of dialogue, a lot of cuts and takes would have really ruined a lot of the emotions running through the film. The actors, for example, never say "I'm cold" while waiting outside...but the long takes and no camera movement focuses on the actors and shows their cold exhalations, their shivering, and teeth chattering. Those could be subtle traits that one misses with a new take every could of seconds.
The story is about three men, all seemingly down on their luck, who meet up in prison and share a cell. The third man that they, and we!, meet is the character of Roberto (played by Roberto Benigni). Every scene in which Benigni is in, he steals. He really is the best actor of anyone in the film and it shows. The other two men are dry, more cynical, and less...well...Benigni-esque. His enduring charm is what saves them, though.
The film has a few funny moments. They aren't split-your-gut type moments but moments that make you chuckle each time you think of it. Most of those moments, of course, involve and revolve around Roberto. Most, if not all, of the other humor is dry and/or dark humor that catches you off-guard.
I think it's a pretty good film with some rich themes. Who hasn't been down on their luck? Maybe we've never been 'Down by Law'...but sometimes we all just need to catch a break and start over.
[editor's note: This film was nominated for a Palme d'Or in 1986]
Director: Jim Jarmusch
I think this is a film that Netflix recommended for us, based on our ratings, and Katie added it to the queue. It was...interesting.
The first thing you notice that the film is shot in stunning black and white. Throughout the entire film, Jarmusch uses extremely long takes that really draws the audience in. There's not a lot of dialogue, a lot of cuts and takes would have really ruined a lot of the emotions running through the film. The actors, for example, never say "I'm cold" while waiting outside...but the long takes and no camera movement focuses on the actors and shows their cold exhalations, their shivering, and teeth chattering. Those could be subtle traits that one misses with a new take every could of seconds.
The story is about three men, all seemingly down on their luck, who meet up in prison and share a cell. The third man that they, and we!, meet is the character of Roberto (played by Roberto Benigni). Every scene in which Benigni is in, he steals. He really is the best actor of anyone in the film and it shows. The other two men are dry, more cynical, and less...well...Benigni-esque. His enduring charm is what saves them, though.
The film has a few funny moments. They aren't split-your-gut type moments but moments that make you chuckle each time you think of it. Most of those moments, of course, involve and revolve around Roberto. Most, if not all, of the other humor is dry and/or dark humor that catches you off-guard.
I think it's a pretty good film with some rich themes. Who hasn't been down on their luck? Maybe we've never been 'Down by Law'...but sometimes we all just need to catch a break and start over.
[editor's note: This film was nominated for a Palme d'Or in 1986]