Down By Law review

Jarmusch's jailhouse rock

GamesRadar Editor's Choice

Why you can trust GamesRadar+ Our experts review games, movies and tech over countless hours, so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about our reviews policy.

Jim Jarmusch’s 1986 follow-up to his breakthrough film, Stranger Than Paradise , is a stylish black-and-white prison romp with a sense of humour as offbeat as its perfectly cast stars (John Lurie, Roberto Benigni and singer Tom Waits).

Set, beautifully, in Louisiana, it sees a small-time pimp (Lurie) and a wastrel DJ (Waits) framed and locked in the clink with an irrepressible Italian tourist (guess who?). Mutual irritation merges into grudging friendship, and the wit manages to be both broad and smart, soulful and silly, subtle and raucous, all at the same time.