Movie Reviews for Sweet and Lowdown

Sweet and Lowdown

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Movie Reviews of Sweet and Lowdown

Movie Review: Maybe I'm blind but I just don't see it...
Summary: 2 Stars

I just want to say that I really, really wanted to like this movie...I just couldn't bring myself to. It came on IFC the other night and since I've been on this Independent Film kick lately, that and it starred Penn, Morton and Thurman, I decided to give it a watch through. I had heard good things about it, mostly about Morton's performance as well as Penn, so I can honestly say I had high expectations. Those expectations, sadly, were not met.

First of all I want to say that Penn's performance was so overrated I was left appalled that he was even considered among Spacey, Crowe and Washington that year. Morton on the other hand did add some weight to the picture and proved that she is a commanding actress even when she says not a single word.

Penn plays fictional jazz guitarist Emmett Ray, a very conceded and irresponcible man who spent his time womanizing and obsessing over better known musician Djamgo Reinhardt. The film follows this mans life as he takes up with Hattie (Morton) a mute woman who's naïve enough to love this man and then leaves her to marry aspiring news reporter Blanche (Thurman) who is using Emmett for a story. The much underused Anthony LaPaglia and Brad Garrett make almost too-short cameos as gangsters who get involved with Emmett and Blanche.

All in all this was a very slow moving film that eventually went nowhere. Woody Allen is known as a classic director, and that maybe the case, but this is nowhere near classic. It's mockumentary style of directing is annoying since it's not funny nor interesting, and Sean Penn is just plain ridiculous (as is his character) in this over hyped film.

Movie Review: Sean Penn does a good job of playing a jerk.
Summary: 2 Stars

Sweet and Lowdown is presented as a pseudo documentary homage by jazz aficionados to the career of an obscure jazz guitarist from the 30's and 40's. Sean Penn plays Emmett Ray, who is a drunk, a womanizer and a wastrel. He is shallow and self-centered. In fact, if it were not for his guitar playing, there is absolutely no reason why anyone would have any interest in him. This character is a walking disaster. To get near him emotionally is to be contaminated by toxic waste. The conclusion has to be that jazz buffs should be content dealing with the work output and ignoring the lives of the artists.

The heart of the movie is the question, does genius excuse using/abusing other people? The answer in Sweet and Lowdown is an unequivocal "No". The problem for Sweet and Lowdown as a movie is that it is easy enough to see what a jerk Emmett Ray is. However, since he is such a jerk, we do not care about him. Moreover, if we don't care about him why we would bother to watch a movie about him? I do not have an answer for that. It appears that Woody Allen has produced a movie which proves that watching that particular movie is a waste of time.

Movie Review: Cannot concentrate
Summary: 2 Stars

In the original Sweet and Lowdown web site, it was mentioned that Sean Penn learn thirty-some songs for this movie. Prior to making this movie, he never played guitar.

I actually looked forward to seeing amazing guitar-playing, and wanted to see the results of hard work and practices. Alas, that's not to be. The playing was lousy at best, and, of course, most of the scenes of playing were spent on an enlarged view of Penn's visage.

It saddens me much because, since movies like "Amadeus" and "Shine", I expect impeccable playing. Even in "Red Violin" most playing were done very well except for Sylvia Chang's part (sign). And this bad playing bit (really that bad) just ruins my appetite, however good the story is.

I guess this only applies to fuzzy musicians like myself. But it also baffles me since Allen is also a musician. Even Johnny Depp could have been better-suited for this role since he plays decent guitar.