Movies - Down by Law

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	Movies - Down by Law

Down by Law (1986) is the fourth feature film by director Jim Jarmusch. The film was written by Jarmusch and is filmed in black-and-white by regular Jarmusch cinematographer Robby Muller (Paris, Texas
(1984), Repo Man
(1984), Buena Vista Social Club
(1999)), who has also worked with Jarmusch on more recent projects such as Mystery Train
(1989), Dead Man
(1995) and Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai
(1999). The film stars musician Tom Waits, along with Jarmusch regulars John Lurie and Roberto Benigni. The music for the film was written by Lurie, and songs by Waits also feature.

The film centres on the arrest, incarceration and escape from jail of three men: Zack (Waits), Jack (Lurie), and Bob (Benigni). The film discards many of the conventions of the jailbreak film, focussing on the interaction between the three men rather than the mechanics of the escape. A key element in the film is Muller's slow-moving camerawork, evocatively capturing the architecture of New Orleans and the Louisiana bayou to which the cellmates escape.

The part of Nicoletta is played by Nicoletta Braschi, Benigni's wife.

Synopsis

Three men, previously unknown to each other, are arrested on the same night in New Orleans and placed in the same cell. Both Zack, a DJ, and Jack, a pimp, have been set up, neither having committed the crime for which they have been arrested. Their cellmate, Bob, however, although the only true innocent of the three, is in fact guilty of the murder for which he has been arrested. Zack and Jack soon come to blows and therafter try to avoid speaking to each other. Bob, however, has an irrepressible need for conversation and will not be silenced by the immature, sulking ne'er-do-wells. Bob hatches a plan to escape, and before long the three are on the run through the swamp surrounding the prison. Hopelessly lost and with a simmering hatred between Jack and Zack almost causing the party to split up, they are brought together by Bob's ability to provide food. The three chance across a house in the forest, the residence of Nicoletta. Bob and Nicoletta fall instantly in love, and Bob decides to stay with her in the forest. Zack and Jack go their separate ways, an unspoken, begrudging friendship hanging between them as they part.

Cast

Tom Waits
— Zack
John Lurie
— Jack
Roberto Benigni
— Roberto
Nicoletta Braschi
— Nicoletta
Ellen Barkin
— Laurette
Billie Neal — Bobbie
Rockets Redglare — Gig
Vernel Bagneris — Preston
Timothea — Julie
L.C. Drane — L. C
Joy N. Houck Jr. — Detective Mandino
Carrie Lindsoe — Young Girl
Ralph Joseph — Detective
Richard Boes — Detective
Dave Petitjean — Cajun Detective

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Movies - Down by Law

Synopsis

Cast

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