Sweet and Lowdown (1999)

Synopsis: Woody Allen's pseudo-biopic about 1930's jazz guitarist Emmet Ray (Sean Penn) is a personal tribute by the director to a period of musical history that has inspired and influenced him greatly. Penn... Woody Allen's pseudo-biopic about 1930's jazz guitarist Emmet Ray (Sean Penn) is a personal tribute by the director to a period of musical history that has inspired and influenced him greatly. Penn immerses himself into the role of the boozing, womanizing Ray with his usual intensity (this time, with a comic slant). Cameos by Allen and author Nat Hentoff give the film a TAKE THE MONEY AND RUN feel, but it is Fei Zhao's rich photography, as well as the solid musical sequences, that provide the film with its depth. Overall, though, this is a lighthearted effort that aims solely for the funny bone. Samantha Morton steals the show as Ray's silently suffering wife in a breakout role that should elevate her to the forefront of Hollywood actresses. [More]

Starring: Sean Penn, Samantha Morton, Uma Thurman, Brian Markinson

Starring: Sean Penn, Samantha Morton, Uma Thurman, Brian Markinson, Anthony LaPaglia, Gretchen Mol, John Waters, Vincent Guastaferro, James Urbaniak

Director: Woody Allen

Director: Woody Allen
Screenwriter: Woody Allen
Producer: Jean Doumanian
Composer: Dick Hyman

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