Born from the passion for music by the New York director, "Sweet and Lowdown" retraces the imaginary life of Emmet Ray (Sean Penn), an artist as talented as he is alcoholic, a genius when it comes to taking care of notes, a little less so when he has to manage his own image. A disordered and eccentric genius, however, during the story, he repeatedly insists on being second only to the great gypsy artist Django Reinhardt. Ray is not a great man; communication with other human beings is not exactly his forte. He confides in hobos, vents with poor Hattie (Samantha Morton), his mute companion forced to absorb the protagonist's deliriums, never arrives on time for appointments, and shoots rats for fun.

The two faces of an artist. The harmony he manages to express with talent and the hatred he cannot filter, manifesting it in the form of selfishness.

Allen, not only a director but also a writer, is more committed to recreating the atmosphere of the '30s rather than making people laugh with his subtle humor (although there is no lack of opportunities for a laugh). Through the character of Emmet Ray, besides paying tribute to the modest Reinhardt (representing the entire category of those years), he tries to make us understand that the artist should not be worshiped but rather understood, that an excellent musician is not necessarily accompanied by a kind and charismatic figure, essentially, a tribute to talent, a lightning bolt that can strike anyone.

Keeping with the theme, the appeal of the film is further enhanced by yet another immense performance by the electrifying Sean Penn.

Enjoy the movie!

"I'm good with women, I love them, it's just that I don’t need them... I guess that's what happens when you're a true artist." (Emmet Ray)

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