Down by Law (1986) (original) (raw)
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Original title
Down by Law
Year
1986
Running time
107 min.
Country
United States
Director
Screenwriter
Cast
Music
Cinematography
Producer
Co-production United States-Germany - West Germany (FRG);
Genre
Comedy. Drama | Crime. Prison Drama. Cult movie. Independent Film (US)
Synopsis
DJ Zack and pimp Jack end up in prison for being too laid-back to avoid being framed for crimes they didn't commit. They end up sharing a cell with eccentric Italian optimist Roberto, whose limited command of the English language is both entertaining and infuriating - but rather more useful to them is the fact that Roberto knows an escape route.
Rankings Position
- #47 Best Movies of the '80s
- #79 Best Crime Movies
- #104 Best Comedy Movies
Awards
1986: Cannes Film Festival: Nominated for Palme d'Or (Best Film)
1986: Independent Spirit Awards: 4 Nominations including Best Film
1986: National Society of Film Critics (NSFC): nominated to Best Cinematography.
1988: Sant Jordi Awards: Best International Actress.
Critics' reviews
- "A terrific movie (...) A beautiful, melancholy, kidding escape fantasy"
- "Reduced to its plot, it is very slight. But the plot isn't the point. The excitement comes from the realization that we are seeing a true film maker at work"
- "A complicated and multi-layered tale (...) Hyper-intellectualizing aside, it's pure pleasure for comedy connoisseurs. Read full review
- "Jarmusch's passive style has its wit, but the style is deadening here until he brings in Roberto--a character out of folk humor"
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