Stars: Sean Penn, Samantha Morton, Uma Thurman, Anthony La Paglia, Gretchen Mol, Vincent Guastaferro, John Waters, Brian Markinson, James Urbaniak, Woody Allen, Woody Allen, Douglas McGrath, Nat Hentoff

Director: Woody Allen

Summary: Emmet Ray believes himself to be the second greatest jazz player in the world. His life is turned upside down when he falls in love with Hattie...

Allen's pseudo-biopic about 1930's jazz guitarist Emmet Ray (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 Henton give the film a TAKE THE MONEY AND RUN feel, but it is 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. Morton steals the show as Ray's silently suffering wife in a breakout role that should elevate her to the forefront of Hollywood actresses.

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Woody Allen makes beautiful music but only fitful comedy in Sweet and Lowdownthe story of "the second greatest guitar player in the world." Sean Penn plays Emmett Ray, an irresponsible, womanising swing guitar player in Depression-era America who is guided by an ego almost as large as his talent. "I'm an artist, a truly great artist," he proclaims time and time again, and when he plays, soaring into a blissed-out world of pure melodic beauty, he proves it. Samantha Morton almost steals the film as his mute girlfriend Hattie, a sweet Chaplinesque waif who loves him unconditionally, and Uma Thurman brings haughty vigour to her role as a slumming socialite and aspiring writer who's forever analysing Emmett's peculiarities (like taking his dates to shoot rats at the city dump). The vignette-like tales are interspersed with comments by jazz aficionados and critics, but this is less a Zelig-like mockumentary than an extension of the self-absorbed portraits of Deconstructing Harryand Celebrity. The lazy pace drags at times and the script runs dry between comic centrepieces--the film screams for more of Allen's playful invention--but there's a bittersweet tenderness and an affecting vulnerability that is missing from his other recent work. Shot by Zhao Fei (The Emperor and the Assassin, Raise the Red Lantern), it's one of Allen's most gorgeous and colourful films in years, buoyed by toe-tapping music and Penn's gruffly charming performance. --Sean Axmaker, Amazon.com

Aspect Ratio:	1.85 Wide Screen
Main Language:	English
Region:	Region 2
Special Features:	Theatrical Trailer, Talent Files
Year:	1999
Release Date:	December 4, 2000
Runtime:	92 minutes
Certification:
Catalogue Number:	C D R 31015
Keywords:	Comedy, General, Wide, Screen, Sweet, Lowdown
Genre:	Comedy