Roberto on the bayou
When a DVD says “Criterion” on the label, it’s usually a good bet that it’s worth picking up. Criterion has been doing some sweet treatments of classic and underrated films since the days of Laserdisc (I bought a Laserdisc player so I could view their treatment of Raging Bull), and their package for Down By Law continues that tradition.
This is an example of the DVD package outperforming the theater version of the film. This tale of three Louisiana prisoners who escape into the bayou is an OK movie, but I’ve always thought it displayed the best and worst aspects of director Jim Jarmusch.
The film looks marvelous, shot by Robby Muller, who went on to photograph my Jarmusch favorite, the 1995 western Dead Man. Unfortunately, Down By Law meanders a bit due to Jarmusch’s tendency to let his actors improvise. Musicians (Tom Waits and John Lurie), rather than professional actors, play two of the three main characters, and while they manage decent screen presence (especially Waits), they would’ve benefited from a tighter script.
Livening things up a bit is Roberto Benigni as the third convict, aptly named Roberto, making his first American film appearance with likable bravado. As Jarmusch explains on the DVD’s “Thoughts and Reflections” feature, Benigni knew no English, so his onscreen struggles for the correct phrasings are authentic. Even with the language barrier, Benigni often seems like the only actor “occupying” the film.
SPECIAL FEATURES: Among the DVD features are an interview with cinematographer Muller, who describes his black-and-white film techniques, and the pleasures of working with Jarmusch. There are outtakes, including an alternate ending that I felt would’ve been better, and some nasty teasing of Benigni in a rowboat. As Jarmusch states in his reflections, Benigni had tremendous fear of water, so his screaming and nervousness about drowning is not an act.
Jarmusch also reveals that one of the film’s best moments, Benigni’s campfire speech about his mother’s willingness to slaughter rabbits, was an improv by the actor based on true life experience. In a section titled “Jarmusch’s Phone Calls,” the director discusses the filmmaking process with his three principle actors via crudely taped phone conversations. Waits and Benigni offer enjoyable insights, while Lurie sounds sleepy.
The double-disc package provides production stills, footage of a 1986 Cannes Film Festival press conference, and a fantastic Waits’ music video of Cole Porter’s It’s All Right With Me directed by Jarmusch. I had never thought of Waits as a dancer, but his moves during this video are quite impressive.
Down By Law is further proof that nobody does DVD like Criterion. If you are just getting into serious DVD collecting, I advise you to look for that word next to the movie title.
Movie: B
DVD Package: A-