Allen is Back with a Labor of Love

Rating: 8/10 (28 December 1999)

After "Mighty Aphrodite," I have not cared for Woody Allen's recent work. But with "Sweet and Lowdown," he is back in form -- although with his most un-Allen like comedy yet.
This is a pseudo-documentary/biopic about (a fictitious) jazz "legend," Emmitt Ray. What really puts this movie over the top is Sean Penn's performance as Ray, a sensitive but egotistical talent who treats women like dirt. Ray's search for artistic perfection turns out to be a search for love. Telling any more would ruin the movie. See it for yourself -- even if you are not a Woody Allen fan.
P.S. Kudos to Samantha Morton on her performance, too.