"Down by Law" is an American 105-minute movie from 1986, so this one will have its 35th anniversary next year and this is an early career effort by writer and director Jim Jarmusch, who was in his early 30s when he made this one. The cast, in terms of the three protagonists, are all actors that Jarmuusch has worked with on several other occasions. Waits and Benigni I remember from "Coffee & Cigarettes" and with Lurie I must admit I am not familiar at all, but I see this is not the only prokect beteen him and Jarmusch either. As for the females, Ellen Barkin has a little role here, but the one who was more memorable to me was of course Nicoletta Braschi, who is in the last segment from ths movie and of course she was already in a romantic relationship with Benigni at that point and as I totally adore "La vita è bella", I found it truly nice to see these two together. I love how they are still an item now in 2020 and they are probably my number 1 favorite couple that I hope is never gonna split up. Okay, as for Jarmusch again, even if his most recent zombie movie was in color, black-and-white was a common formula for him back in the day, so not too surprising that this one here allso lacks colors. It definitely does not give the film a weaker outcome or so. It is pretty entertaining for the most part. Sure it is also a bit serious with the references to murder, pedophilia and the risk of a trio of prisoners getting caught and maybe even killed when they try to get away, but all in all, it is definitely on the lighter side. I liked how the friendship between the gang got bigger and bigger the more time they spend together. Benigni's character was really the trigger for that and you see that every time the other two are without him, their aggression rises again. Of course they did not like Bob either at the very start when he shows up, but that changes quickly. Kinda ironic though that these two were framed while they indeed are on the badass side, but Benigni's character who seems to be so fun and harmless actually killed somebody. You can really see from scene to scene more and more how they get along better with each other. The best example is of course when they sing towards the end of their prison stay and you can even hear people from the other cells singing with them. It's a lot of fun for sure. This was the one scene in whcih Waits' and Lurie's characters are somewhat not basically the same because it takes Waits' character a lot longer till he joins with the passionate singing.

Here and there, there is a moment that feels rather weak or does not amke too much sense, but it is all easy to forgive. One example would be how Benigni's character speaks apparently so little English, but nonetheless knows words like "garlic". Is it perhaps just make-believe? Or how he actually ran into Waits' character before they meet in the cell. Yeah, some of it did not make a whole lot of sense, but there is no denying from my side that the good moments here are far more frequent than the weak moments and also better than the weak moments are bad. By the way, as for the crew here it is interesting how Waits and Lurie contributed a lot to the music and songs in this movie. And very fitting that one of the most memorable scenes here (I mentioned it above) includes carefree singing and their desperate situation is somewhat forgotten for a moment. Theirs and the other prisoners'. of course, Benigni adds a whole lot with his charm here for sure and with his careless (in a positive manner) Italian approach to every single scene basically. His name is so fitting in terms of how benign he is from beginning to end. Also pay attention to his very first scene how he inspires Waits with his words and also the other way around. A lot of fun there too. As the film goes on, Benigni has many more good moments like for example how he admits he cannot swim and grst they leave him behind, but then before the guards and dogs show up, Waits' character returns because they are friends now. And after all, Benigni's character was the one who made the prison break happen. By the way, one of the easiest prison breaks in existence this was. Wentworth and the gang can learn a lot from these guys here. Okay what else? The two more serious characters get an introduction, actually a fairly lengthy one and we find out what happened to them that they end up in jail. Benigni's character does not, although the billard scene would have been really interesting to watch, but for good reason because his character is quirky enough anyway for us to warm up to him immediately, so no real introduction needed. I mean despite being a vegetarian I even enjoyed his scene with the rabbit when he keeps talking about his family before the other guys join him briefly afterwards. Haha they moved like zombies there when they return and even after the argument, the group unites again, once more thanks to Begnini's character being a bit of a pacifier almost. I could almost say "Benigni" because I feel he is like that in real life from what I have seen and his name is Rooberto (or Bob) anyway in this movie. Another fun moment from him would be when he begs to also be alloed to leave the cell and the guard lets him finally and of course the latter had no clue that they are about to break free and escape from this prison. Okay, finally a few more ords on the Braschi scene. Now normally if you have 3 convicts approach a female who is alone in a little shack, it may be a dangerous situation for the female, but here she finds love and so does Benigni's character. So sweet to see these two together like that with their background story. And in the end, Braschi gives a really warm hug and kisses to the other two guys as they are about to leave again and let the two lovebirds behind and it seems they are safe where they are now, even if they still may be crocodiles in the swamps, where a big part of this film is set. By the way, another difference between the two brutes that one sleeps like a baby and the other won't because he is more careful. The way they exchange their jackets at the very end is also a bit of a sign that even these two, now for once in the absence of Benigni's character, have gotten a bit closer and can be called friends now. They may not take the same route, so they are not buddies for life, but at least they did not get in a massive fight again. Okay, this would be all then I suppose. You should watch this film for yourself anyway. Apart from myself, there were only two other people (a couple) in my showing. Not a lot. This movie deserves better for sure. It's not best-of-the-year material, but deserves to be seen for sure. Just like the two brutes deserve to wait a little longer outside the house and miss some of the meal before they move inside like idiots themselves. You get tis harmless reference if you watch this one. Totally go for it! It's a pretty charming film and especially worth seeing for my fellow Benigni lover. I am always baffled by how much I like him because otherwise loud and really agile actors are not always my preferred choice and they can quickly feel obnoxious. But with Roberto it all feels real, authentic and heartfelt. Okay, now I shall really finish. What are you waiting for?

In Louisianan, the girlfriend Laurette (Ellen Barkin) of the WYLD DJ Zack (Tom Waits) a.k.a. Lee Baby Simms has an argument and breaks with him. The upset Zack drinks booze on the street and his acquaintance Preston (Vernel Bagneris) offers US$ 1,500.00 to him to drive a Jaguar to the other side of the city. However, there is a man locked up in the trunk of the car and Zack is arrested and sent to the Orleans Parish Prison. Meanwhile the pimp Jack (John Lurie) is framed by his acquaintance Gig (Rockets Redglare) and is arrested in the same cell of Zack. When the Italian Roberto (Roberto Benigni) a.k.a. Bob that does note speak English very well is locked up in the same cell, the trio develops a strange friendship. Sooner Bob proposes a means of escape from prison and the trio shares a journey through the swamps of Mississippi.

"Down by Law" is a cult-indie for the fans and a boring film for the others. The cinematography in black and white is stylish, but why? The plot is quite original but uninteresting. Further I do not like the actor Roberto Benigni that used the idea of the screenplay of "Train de Vie" of Radu Mihaileanu that was offered to him to the lead role to write his awarded "La Vita è Bella". Therefore, I do not laugh of his gags and jokes. Maybe if I had seen this movie in 1986, I might have enjoyed more. My vote is six.

Title (Brazil): "Down by Law"

Action/adventure fans won't have the patience for this film. There are long, extended scenes in which the principal characters wait each other out before speaking, and even then, they don't have much to say. The introduction of Roberto Benigni's character into the jail cell at the Orleans Parish Prison changes the dynamic of the story, but at first you don't know which way it will go. Zack (Tom Waits) and Jack (John Lurie) could just as easily have beat the hell out of Roberto in any other film, but here, they take to the idiosyncratic jailbird when they learn he's in for murder by eight-ball. Consistently referring to his pocket note pad for illuminating American phrases, Roberto is at his charming nuttiest leading his cellmate hoods in a rousing rendition of 'We all scream for ice cream'.

I'm not big on stories that go nowhere but this one went nowhere in a decidedly unique and captivating way. The jail break by the unlikely trio is as improbable as the camaraderie that develops among them, which quite honestly is probably the reason the mechanics of it wasn't actually shown. You have to take it on faith that Roberto actually did find some weakness in the security of the prison yard in order for them to escape. Even more improbable is the romance that develops between Roberto and his new found love Nicoletta (Nicoletta Braschi),but then again, who can say? I was waiting any minute for Zack or Jack to take advantage of the young lady, but apparently their regard for Roberto was one of earned respect.

I can't say this would be on my recommended list for most viewers, but if you can slow down and savor the plight of three disparate jailbirds looking for a break, this may appeal to your better instincts. And if I can relate the picture to another Benigni film for which he won a Best Actor Oscar, the story in it's own distinctive manner has a way of showing it's characters that "Life is Beautiful".