This mock biopic of guitarist Emmett Ray (Sean Penn) recalls his footloose life and string of women, commented upon by a chorus of experts (including the film’s director, Woody Allen, himself).
Reviews
“Woody Allen’s most delightful film in perhaps ten years […] Fantastic performances from Penn and Morton ignite this bittersweet comedy.” Empire
“The sense of period and place is assured, the music delicious, the performances terrific. Penn, particularly, is a joy to behold, never ingratiating or maudlin, wholly credible even in the musical scenes, effortlessly expressing both the latent insecurity and artistic determination that fuel Ray’s energies. Bittersweet indeed.” Time Out
“Sweet and Lowdown is as simple and affecting as the title suggests – a series of anecdotes framed with commentary by jazz experts. […] As you’d imagine from Allen, America’s most famous enthusiast for a pre-bebop Eden, Sweet and Lowdown is told with real love for the period, and the film’s look is typically flawless” Sight and Sound