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Low Down

Play trailer Poster for Low Down R Released Oct 24, 2014 1h 58m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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The daughter (Elle Fanning) of jazz pianist Joe Albany (John Hawkes) witnesses her beloved father's struggle -- and failure -- to kick his heroin habit.
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Low Down

Low Down

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Critics Consensus

Rich in mood and on-screen talent but lacking in narrative depth, Low Down tells an oft-told tale with a troubling dearth of imagination.

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Critics Reviews

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Sarah Mirk Bitch Media It's disappointing that Low Down unspools toward the end, since the first half is filled with great characters and a smart script. Like Amy's character herself, the film is astute in some ways and overwhelmingly awkward in others. Jan 22, 2021 Full Review Brad Wheeler Globe and Mail Somewhere over the rainbow the skies are blue, that's the dream. Some make it, some don't - this eloquent daughter's tale shows both sides. Rated: 2.5/4 Nov 21, 2014 Full Review Linda Barnard Toronto Star Gets stuck in a cycle of addiction and morning-after regret while missing a chance to explore the how and why of its characters. Rated: 2.5/4 Nov 20, 2014 Full Review Michael J. Casey Michael J. Cinema Jazz isn't just a style, it's a musical mood, and 'Low Down' gets right in there. Rated: 3/5 Oct 24, 2021 Full Review Nicholas Bell IONCINEMA.com A rather unremarkable treatment of a slipping down life, bright lights dimmed by the self-induced depravity of drugs and alcohol. Rated: 2.5/5 Sep 6, 2019 Full Review Charles Mudede The Stranger (Seattle, WA) Certainly one of the best biopics of an artist I have seen in a long time. Aug 28, 2018 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Ronald H Low Down is in the tradition of 'Round Midnight and Bird: dark, slow moving, and ultimately tragic. In spite of the fact that it's based on the memoir of jazz pianist Joe Albany's daughter, it has a feeling of contrivance. The colors are desaturated brown and dingy beige; the settings are seedy and dismal. Jazz in the movies is all about suffering due to heroin or alcohol abuse, The joyous nature of jazz, not to mention the talent and discipline it takes to play it, is barely touched upon. John Hawkes and Dakota fanning are both memorable. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 09/20/24 Full Review Audience Member Pretty powerful movie about addiction. Profound and wonderful. Elle Fanning is terrific. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/25/20 Full Review Audience Member Well portrayed but no real depth. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 10/28/18 Full Review Audience Member Too dark, too long, too sad, too slow Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars 02/24/23 Full Review Audience Member An increasingly dark film with no climax, no point, and a sunny ending that emerged out of nowhere. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 02/02/23 Full Review Audience Member Slow-burning exploration of the fragile relationship between a heroin-addicted jazz musician and his devoted teenage daughter, set in 1970s LA. John Hawkes and Elle Fanning are superb, with support from Glenn Close. Director Jeff Preiss builds on all the senses, from sumptuous visuals to layered jazz sounds. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/16/23 Full Review Read all reviews
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Cast & Crew

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Jeff Preiss

Director

John Hawkes

Joe Albany

Elle Fanning

Amy-Jo Albany

Glenn Close

Gram

Lena Headey

Sheila

Peter Dinklage

Alain

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Low Down

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Movie Info

Synopsis The daughter (Elle Fanning) of jazz pianist Joe Albany (John Hawkes) witnesses her beloved father's struggle -- and failure -- to kick his heroin habit.
Director
Jeff Preiss
Producer
Albert Berger, Mindy Goldberg, Ron Yerxa
Screenwriter
Amy-Jo Albany, Topper Lilien
Distributor
Oscilloscope Pictures
Production Co
Live Free or Die Films, Bona Fide Productions, Heretic Films, Epoch Films
Rating
R (Language|Drug Use|Some Sexual Content)
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Oct 24, 2014, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Mar 25, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$44.5K
Runtime
1h 58m
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