Right in the opening scene of "Sweet and Lowdown", writer-director Woody Allen appears on camera - as himself - and tries to explain why he decided to tell this particular story of this particular character (whom he calls boorish and obnoxious), and he seems to struggle to find a reason; the movie itself is no help. Its pseudo-documentary format may remind you of Allen's "Zelig", but I think the movie in his career it's closest to is "Cafe Society": a great-looking period package with little inside. Like that film, this one isn't a total loss, either: there is lots of tuneful music, elegant production design (you really do feel transported to the 1930s), a nice Buster Keaton-esque performance by Samantha Morton, and even a fun little homage to "Rashomon", which Allen does list as one of his ten favorite films of all time. "Sweet and Lowdown" probably won't be in too many people's "ten favorite Woody Allen films" lists, though. ** out of 4.
Review of Sweet and Lowdown
