Sweet And Lowdown (1999)

WOODY ALLEN

Bil’s rating (out of 5):  BBBB.  USA, 1999.  Sweetland Films, Magnolia Productions.  Screenplay by Woody Allen.  Cinematography by .  Produced by .  Production Design by .  Costume Design by .  Film Editing by .  Academy Awards 1999.  Golden Globe Awards 1999.  Toronto International Film Festival 1999.  

Samantha Morton and Sean Penn in Sweet and Lowdown. Morton and Penn were nominated for Best Supporting Actress and Best Actor Academy Awards.

Woody Allen’s best film since Mighty Aphrodite is this sweet fictional documentary about the second greatest jazz guitarist who ever lived. Living in the shadow of his hero Django Reinhardt, jazz guitarist  tries to make good but finds himself beset by his inability to grow up, his lack of true committed feelings for any of his women, and his unwillingness to take his talent seriously. In comes a meek and shy mute ( in a remarkable performance) who pitiably loves him and accompanies him on the road, and a Dietrich-like siren () upon whom Penn develops a fixation.  Zhao Fei’s cinematography is beautiful, and the music is wonderful in this small but very memorable little piece of work from a master comedian.

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