Low Down Hits a High Note with Award Worthy Performances

Low Down Hits a High Note with Award Worthy Performances

06 Sep, 2014

In the past few years, John Hawkes, has quickly become one of the best character actors on the big screen. Like he did in his film “The Sessions,” Hawkes, once again plays another true life character, and brings them back to life on the big screen. Hawkes, plays Jazz pianist, single father and Heroin addict, Joe Albany, who played with legends like Charlie Parker in the 60’s and 70’s Jazz scene. The film is directed by first-time feature director Jeff Preiss, and was shot on film. “Low Down” won the Cinematography Award: in the U. S. Dramatic category, at this years Sundance Film Festival.

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The film chronicles Joe’s struggles during a two year period with the Music Industry, his addiction and being a single parent. The film is told through the eyes of Joe’s daughter Amy-Jo, who also co-authored the screenplay (with Topper Lilien) and who’s played in the film magnificently by Elle Fanning. “Low Down” is based on a memoir by Amy Albany.

Low Down, Sundance Film Festival 2014 | Elle Fanning, John Hawkes, Directed by Jeff Preiss| Photo by RH Quaytman

Low Down, Sundance Film Festival 2014 | Elle Fanning, John Hawkes, Directed by Jeff Preiss
Photo by RH Quaytman

The film opens with Joe’s release from prison on parole in 1974. He is reunited with Amy-Jo who had been living with Joe’s devoted mother played by Glenn Close. Joe tries to stay clean as he moves into a run down Hollywood apartment filled with tenants who range from artists, to prostitutes and drug addicts. Amy’s mom, played Sheila (Lena Headey) is not consistent in Amy’s life due to her alcohol abuse. She is in and out of both Amy and Joe’s life. The one constant in Amy’s life is her Grandmother. Close is torn between her love for her son and her anger over what drugs have done to her son. She calls him “My poor lost boy.” She pleads for Joe to stay clean for Amy’s sake and be a real father to her.

Even with all of Joe’s faults Amy is her father’s biggest fan. Amy struggles to feel a personal connection to anyone in her life outside her family. She starts up an interesting friendship with two damaged people Peter Dinklage  (Game Of Thrones) and a younger child who lives in her building whose mom is a drug addict. One of the harder scenes to see in the film comes when the girls corpse is taken out of the apartment building after she overdoses.

Low Down, Sundance Film Festival 2014 | Elle Fanning, Directed by Jeff Preiss | Photo by RH Quaytman

Low Down, Sundance Film Festival 2014 | Elle Fanning, Directed by Jeff Preiss
Photo by RH Quaytman

Joe’s best friend and fellow addict is played by Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea, who turns in his best acting performance I’ve seen to date. Flea is also one of the producers of the film. Joe has a problem with missing parole meetings. His mother pleads with him to take the appointments seriously. Close to the third act of the film, Joe breaks his parole and heads to Europe abandoning Amy, again. After two years, he returns home rejuvenated with stories of success. We later find out Joe was deported. Joe moves in with Amy and his mother and promises to change, but old ghosts are hard to kill. As always Amy supports her, but we begin to see the toll it has on her. Amy is now in a relationship with another damaged soul with a musician boyfriend of her own (Caleb Landry Jones). One theme that repeats itself throughout the film is the love between father and daughter. Joe would loose his battle against addiction in 1988 at the age of 63.

Hawkes, Elle Fanning and Close turn in award worthy performances. I was shocked to find out that Hawkes, never played the piano before landing the role. Fanning is phenomenal! You really feel for her and her pain. She is desperate for her dad to get clean and be the man she has seen flashes of in the past. The film tells the story of lost souls trying to find their way to survive as a family. The film is seen through Amy’s eyes. Her voice overs make you feel you were with her and experiencing what it was like for her. We can only hope the film will be seen as a tribute to her dad and maybe even help her with some closure.

About the author

Jonathan Shensa

Celebrity event photographer, screenwriter and blogger.

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