Sweet and Lowdown in Your Coffee Tastes like Tofu

Rating: 8/10 (24 August 2005)

Although the names Woody Allen and Sean Penn might make you stop reading right here, let's just start by saying it's not that kind of movie. Sweet and Lowdown is a modestly directed, well scripted and acted fictional bio-pic focusing on the life of Emmet Ray (Penn), a classical jazz guitarist. The movie takes place in the 1930's or so, when Ray is said to have been his prime. As he moves from town to town, leaving scores of women and obscene debts in his wake, Ray plays his heart out for the eastern seaboard's wealthy and elite. When he's not playing music at the big clubs, Emmet finds his way to darker corners, where he can gamble and pick the night away. In his spare time, Emmet enjoys the odd hobbies of watching trains and shooting rats. Though Ray is most likely the best guitarist in the United States, he is a distant second in the world, behind Django Reinhardt. Somewhere along the way, Emmet meets Hattie, a beautiful mute who falls desperately in love with him. Without a clue in the world, they venture forth unknowingly toward the great gig in the sky.
Though you may hate either or both of the stars of this movie, you still may want to give Sweet and Lowdown a chance. Because of the nature of the film, Sean Penn's political beliefs are held in check, as well as Woody Allen's almost incessant whining. Allen has almost zero screen time, which keeps him from irritating the viewer. And Emmet Ray is described as "a self-centered, egotistical creep with talent" which makes this role not much of a stretch for Penn. The highlight of the movie, though, is a breakthrough performance by Samantha Morton--who recently played Agatha, the pre-cog in Minority Report. As Hattie, Emmet Ray's mute love interest, Morton earned herself an Oscar Nomination for playing the heart and soul of a man whose conscience was long destroyed. Though she has been recognized in her native England for playing only the most challenging roles, Samantha Morton has yet to break out in the United States, if that is even her goal. Either way, this is one of her best roles to date, if only for her infectious cuteness. With darling expressions that give us more of an insight into Hattie's character than most actresses can achieve with lines, Morton is the clear winner here.
In summary, Sweet and Lowdown gives us only the best angle of three very talented, often misguided artists. If you're in for a quiet night at home, snuggling with someone special (or just snuggling a glass of port), this movie is a good bet.