Movie Notes: Sweet And Lowdown

August 12th, 2009

= 5 stars

Starring Sean Penn, Samantha Morton, Uma Thurman
Directed by Woody Allen

Synopsis

Jazz guitarist Emmett Ray (Sean Penn) is an arrogant sleazeball but also the second best guitarist in the world.

The Good

• Two great performances by Penn and Morton, an extremely unlikely couple but somehow, it works. Ray’s music communicates wordlessly, as does Morton’s glorious expressions and body language. Emmet Ray is an absolute slime ball, usually drunk and whose idea of a good time is shooting rats, asking if we can appreciate art from a reprehensible man. It’s amazing watching Hattie communicate inner feelings through body language alone, while maintaining the persona of a shy, lonely girl. This is one of those Allen films where the performances manage to transcend the director’s vision, and wisely, Allen gives both actors room to breathe. I soon became caught up in the two characters, wondering if they would stay together, Ray’s cold heart would melt, Hattie eventually become jaded.
• Music becomes a central part of an Allen film, and his love for music is evident throughout. The “mockumentary” style is more serious than funny, but still feels like a cousin to This Is Spinal Tap or A Mighty Wind. His earlier experiments with this format (Take The Money And Run, Zelig, and Husbands And Wives) seem to culminate here.
• Allen’s direction once again, impresses with simple camera techniques: the moon is photographed from below to emphasize Ray’s agoraphobia, a slow camera move onto Hattie’s amazed face when she hears Ray’s guitar for the first time, and slow motion as Ray falls through the a roof and into a pile of money.

The Bad

• Writer Blanche Williams (Uma Thurman) adds some welcome conflict, but her contemplations feel secondary to the core story. The plot wanders noticeably in Hattie’s absence.

Conclusion

The question posed here — can one separate the artist from his art — is a question raised by Allen’s own reputation. Emmet Ray’s example suggests the answer is no, but based on the wonder that is Sweet And Lowdown, my answer in Allen’s case is a fortissimo yes.

Next Woody Allen Movie: Small Time Crooks
Previous Woody Allen Movie: Celebrity

IMDB: Sweet And Lowdown
Wikipedia: Sweet And Lowdown
Rotten Tomatoes: Sweet and Lowdown 77%