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Low Down

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Low Down

R

Released Oct 24, 2014

1h 58m

Drama

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50%

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50 Reviews

49%

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500+ Ratings

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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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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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Audience Member

Pretty powerful movie about addiction. Profound and wonderful. Elle Fanning is terrific.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/25/20

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Audience Member

Well portrayed but no real depth.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

10/28/18

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Audience Member

Too dark, too long, too sad, too slow

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

02/24/23

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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

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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

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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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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, Epoch Films, Heretic Films, Bona Fide Productions
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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