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The Low Down

Play trailer Poster for The Low Down Released Apr 20, 2000 1h 36m Comedy Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
59% Tomatometer 51 Reviews 56% Popcornmeter 50+ Ratings
Frank (Aidan Gillen) is in his late twenties, and he becomes restless as he realizes that his life purely revolves around friends and work. He is aware of a need to move his life into another gear, but while he knows something must change, he is not sure what or how. Some of his friends are settling down, and he knows he is expected to follow suit sooner or later. Frank's indecision comes to a head when he meets Ruby (Kate Ashfield), whose optimism and approach to life dramatically affect him.
The Low Down

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Critics Consensus

Jamie Thraves' debut film about British twenty-somethings effectively captures the nuances of its characters.

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Critics Reviews

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Susan Stark Detroit News Rated: 2/4 Oct 30, 2001 Full Review Kirk Honeycutt Hollywood Reporter Thraves lets his story drag as if aimless drama will somehow reflect the aimlessness of his characters' lives. It doesn't; it simply bores. May 1, 2001 Full Review Bob Graham San Francisco Chronicle It does have something to say to those patient enough to stick with it. Apr 26, 2001 Full Review Film Threat Rated: 1/5 Dec 6, 2005 Full Review Film Threat Rated: 3/5 Dec 6, 2005 Full Review Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com Rated: 2/5 Jul 14, 2005 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (9) audience reviews
Barbara C I can understand that the relative nihilism of The low down can be a put-off. Personally, i loved it. It's one of the most honest portraits -- of a man and of a relationship -- that I have ever seen committed to the screen. It puts exquisite detail into depicting that liminal time between youth and adulthood. We have all been there, and perhaps we don't want to be reminded of it. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 05/18/24 Full Review Karen Coaching F I just watched this, and understand that its lack of plot or action won't be for everyone. However I loved it. The nuances of the characters and the motivations were easy to pick up on for me, and her confusion and liking for him were interesting and painful to see, plus his hesitation and inability to commit to anything or make real decisions were obvious to see. The intimacy between them felt raw and real. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/13/23 Full Review Audience Member Aimless British mumblecore. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 02/27/23 Full Review Audience Member Quite a poignant movie for me as itâ(TM)s a low key study of a group of 20 and 30 something friends making their way through North London life around the turn of the millennium â" there is a particular light about the summers in that part of the world and the uncertainties of relationships and general struggle to get by make for an involving, unhistrionic film. Aiden Gillen is excellent as ever and Six Musicâ(TM)s Adam and Joe even make an appearance at one point â" they are clients of the props firm that Gillen and his mates work for. Mercifully, the Brummie accent of the heroâ(TM)s love interest is also not suppressed. Thraves recently returned to directing after a gap of a decade and this is something of a lost gem. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/09/23 Full Review Audience Member Perfectly acted, gently dramatic study of the highs and lows of real-life, with a deeply personal script and some beautifully directed ensemble scenes. One of the few perfect British films to come out of the late 90's. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/26/23 Full Review Audience Member A stymied account of inner-city friend and relationships with a particular strength on the script and excellent detail in the language. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 02/06/23 Full Review Read all reviews
The Low Down

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Movie Info

Synopsis Frank (Aidan Gillen) is in his late twenties, and he becomes restless as he realizes that his life purely revolves around friends and work. He is aware of a need to move his life into another gear, but while he knows something must change, he is not sure what or how. Some of his friends are settling down, and he knows he is expected to follow suit sooner or later. Frank's indecision comes to a head when he meets Ruby (Kate Ashfield), whose optimism and approach to life dramatically affect him.
Director
Jamie Thraves
Producer
Sally Llewellyn, John Stewart
Screenwriter
Jamie Thraves
Distributor
Shooting Gallery
Production Co
British Screen Productions
Genre
Comedy, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Apr 20, 2000, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Mar 10, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA)
$32.4K
Runtime
1h 36m
Sound Mix
Surround