1986 Movie
Dir. Jim Jarmusch · Germany, United States of America · English, Italian
Three guys snipe and escape from prison in this black-and-white buddy comedy
Sometimes, in life, we’re forced to be with people we don’t immediately get along with, like in the classroom, the workplace, or, if you’re unlucky, in a jail cell. Down by Law is black-and-white drama focused on three men in a jail cell, two of them outright hating each other, but not as much as they hate their third fellow foreign inmate for being so smiley all the time. It’s a funny adventure, made more funny as they snipe at each other, but even if the two Americans supposedly hate each other, it’s still a charming friendship that we can’t help but root for, one made simple and straightforwardly by director Jim Jarmusch.
A disc jockey, a pimp and an Italian tourist escape from jail in New Orleans.
"Down By Law is oddly heart-warming, magnifying moments of unexpected camaraderie between kindred spirits who don't immediately ID each other as such."
— Vadim Rizov
"The Jim Jarmusch penchant for off-the-wall characters and odd situations is very much in evidence."
— Variety Staff
After being framed, Zack, a disc jockey, Jack, a small-time pimp, and Bob, an Italian tourist, escape from a jail in New Orleans.
The jokes. The movie is basically three guys stuck with each other, but the performances and Jarmusch’s dialogue makes it feel natural and compelling.
Three guys… Sitting in a jail cell… All armed with jibes ‘cuz they’re not gay…
Cannes
1 nom
Spirit Awards
4 noms
Isabella Endrinal is a curator at A Good Movie to Watch. She's now free from the corporate night shift. Previous articles have been published in outlets such as NANG Magazine. She's currently catching up on some classic films… if she isn't coping with the fact that the Haikyu anime will end soon.
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