Down By Law DVD Review:

Jim Jarmusch once said ‘Life has no plot, why must films or fiction?’ And it seems to be with these words in mind that he created his fourth feature film, Down by Law.

Musicians Tom Waits and John Lurie, and Italian actor Roberto Benigni, star in this film as three men too laidback to avoid ending up in prison. Zack (Waits) is an apathetic DJ, concerned only about his pointy shoes, pimp Jack (Lurie) finds himself in a compromising situation with a new recruit, and eccentric Roberto (Benigni) provides the comic relief, easing the tension between the other two men.

These three outsiders end up sharing a cell in a Louisiana prison. Their relationship is the focus of the story – they bicker, sulk, banter and eventually manage to escape, thanks to wily Roberto, and get lost in the surrounding dense swamplands.

But this is no typical ‘jailbreak story’. Described by Jarmusch as ‘neo-beat-noir-comedy’, Down by Law is a meandering piece of filmwork, a study of ennui, focusing on the parts of life that are usually overlooked. He doesn’t show any courtroom action, the details of the jailbreak, the reasons why the men were set up in the first place – scenes mainstream directors would have revelled in. Instead, the banal conversations in the jail cell, the men traipsing through the swampland and other insignificant moments are given precedence.

Jarmusch takes time to develop believable characters with all their idiosyncrasies and plays scenes out slowly. He relishes the long shots of real life, which give you a feel for time and place, as well as the boredom, frustration and even elation, the inmates feel.

One of the most pleasing aspects of this film is the cinematography, provided by Robby Muller (who has also worked with people such as Lars von Trier). The camera lovingly pans over the deprived area of Louisiana and New Orleans using a black and white film stock, evocatively taking in the architecture and people.
It’s a stunning piece of work in a very different style to other American directors of the time. Worth watching if you’re into unusual indy films and don’t expect a plot.



Sian Thatcher