Sweet and Lowdown

Watch Sweet and Lowdown

  • PG-13
  • 1999
  • 1 hr 35 min
  • 7.2  (36,462)
  • 70

Sweet and Lowdown is a 1999 romantic comedy-drama directed by Woody Allen. The film stars Sean Penn as a fictional jazz guitarist named Emmett Ray, Samantha Morton as Hattie, a shy mute woman who becomes Emmett's lover and Woody Allen as the narrative voice of the film. The story is set in the 1930s and revolves around Emmett Ray, a skilled flamboyant jazz guitarist who sees himself as the second-best guitarist in the world after Django Reinhardt. Despite his extraordinary musical talent, Emmett Ray is an extremely flawed individual. He is an alcoholic, womanizer, and a con artist who deals with personal issues such as insecurity and self-doubt. Emmett's love of music is the only genuine thing in his life, and it is what drives him forward.

One day, Emmett meets Hattie, a shy and introverted woman who works as a cleaning lady. Emmett is surprised by her innate musical talent when he hears her playing his guitar. Despite Hattie's inability to speak, Emmett is drawn to her and the two begin a passionate affair. Emmett's love for Hattie has a positive impact on his life, and he becomes a better person as a result. But as is often the case in Woody Allen's movies, things do not go as planned.

Throughout the movie, Woody Allen employs a kind of mockumentary-style to tell the story of Emmett Ray. The film's structure consists of a combination of interviews with fictional jazz musicians who knew Emmett, and a fictionalized biopic of Emmett's life. This storytelling approach adds a new dimension to the film and creates an interesting dynamic between the narrative and characters.

One of the main themes of the movie is the struggle of an artist. Emmett Ray has natural talent and is considered one of the best jazz guitarists of his time. However, his constant search for perfection and acknowledgement makes him unhappy and unfulfilled. Emmett's insecurity and self-doubt prevent him from achieving his full potential, and he is always in the shadow of the legendary Reinhardt. The film shows that while talent is essential, hard work, dedication, and self-belief are just as important in achieving success.

The film's music is also an important element that adds to the authenticity of the story. Allen uses original jazz compositions by musicians such as George Gershwin, Cole Porter, and Hoagy Carmichael, as well as interludes from Reinhardt's recordings, to create a real sense of time and place. The performances by Penn and Morton are also noteworthy. Penn shines as the tortured and complex Emmett Ray, and Morton gives a hauntingly beautiful portrayal of Hattie's complex emotions.

Overall, Sweet and Lowdown is a charming and witty film with some captivating performances. It is a celebration of jazz music and a tribute to the artists who devote their lives to it. The movie is a great example of Woody Allen's unique style, blending humor, drama, and romance in his storytelling. It is a must-watch for anyone who loves jazz or appreciates great filmmaking.

Sweet and Lowdown is a 1999 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 35 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.2 and a MetaScore of 70.

Sweet and Lowdown
Description
Where to Watch Sweet and Lowdown
Sweet and Lowdown is available to watch free on Peacock, Plex and Tubi TV. It's also available to stream, download and buy on demand at Amazon Prime, FuboTV, Peacock Premium, The Roku Channel, Apple TV, Amazon, Google Play and Vudu. Some platforms allow you to rent Sweet and Lowdown for a limited time or purchase the movie and download it to your device.
  • Release Date
    1999
  • MPAA Rating
    PG-13
  • Runtime
    1 hr 35 min
  • Language
    English
  • IMDB Rating
    7.2  (36,462)
  • Metascore
    70
Watch all of
Do you have Hulu?
Ad Info - This movie may not be available on Hulu
No thanks, I'm not interested in Hulu