Down By Law - Prison

Down By Law

classified 15
Film

Please note: This was screened in Oct 2014

Director
Jim Jarmusch
Cast
Tom Waits, John Lurie, Roberto Benigni
Details
107 mins, 1986, USA

Restored in this new digital print, Jim Jarmusch's pitch perfect third feature, a bewitching blend of urban noir, prison movie, poetic fable and comedy, is a milestone in American independent cinema. Though strangers, pimp Jack (John Lurie) and DJ Zack (Tom Waits) are alike in thinking they are the coolest dudes in New Orleans. Each has made enemies, and soon they're sharing the same tiny prison cell, acknowledging one another only through insults, until they're joined by Roberto (Benigni), an irrepressibly cheery Italian who shares his improbable plans of escape with them. Can they deal with each other's shortcoming and bust out of jail? With an inventive script ("I'm serious as cancer," claims one low life), terrific performances and excellent soundtrack (Lurie and Waits both contribute), Down By Law is soulful, silly, subtle, raucous, smart and funny - all at the same time. A real classic.

  • The evening screening of Down By Law on Tue 7 Oct is part of our Cinébites deal: get a cinema ticket, veggie or meat pasty, and a drink (wine/beer or soft drink) for only £15.

Ticket prices: Screenings before 16:00: £5.50 full / £4.00 concessions. Screenings after 16:00: £8.00 full / £6.50 concessions.

Love Jim Jarmusch? Join us this October for three Jarmusch films offering an excursion into the margins of American life in our special Sunday Brunch season.


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