Jim Jarmusch’s follow up to the surprise hit 1984 indie movie Stranger Than Paradise is not without similarities; both are shot in black & white, feature John Lurie and his straight from 1940s film noir rugged looks, have posters not exactly unlike each other and introduce a fish out of water foreign character as the comic relief.

In Down by Law that comic relief is the great Roberto Benigni who in his trademark style delivers great energy and hilarious lines and saves the movie just in time before it’s about to turn stale.

Tom Waits can be seen as the third lead in the movie, and the movie seems almost tailor made for him in its aesthetics and lines that compliment his deep, gravelly voice.

80s-o-meter: 20%

Total: 87%