Down by Law (1986)
Is it harder to escape from jail or each other?
Presentation:
Perhaps Jim Jarmusch’s signature film, Down by Law is a quirky prison movie that stands out for its off beat characters. Roberto Benigni steals the show with his light heartedness, which is somewhat surprising because I’m used to seeing him in slapstick comedies. This is more of a deadpan comedy with a focus on story than vibes, which is the reason it’s more accessible but why I prefer it less than Stranger than Paradise. When I watch a Jarmusch film, I want the hipster deadpan vibes, not a good narrative drama I can watch from anyone else. But that still doesn’t stop this from being the quirkiest prison movie you’ll see.
Conclusion:
This is one of Jarmusch’s more popular films and you can perhaps even consider it warm hearted. His signature touch is all there - subtle poetry, hipster coolness, deadpan, black and white style, but it’s also one of his sweetest films. That’s what I love about his movies and why I can’t stop watching them. He always manages to surprise his audiences with something out of left field, this time giving us what no prison movie has done before.
Recommendations
Is it harder to escape from jail or each other?