Local DJ Zack (Waits), pimp Jack (Lurie), and Italian tourist Roberto (Benini) all find themselves locked up in a New Orleans jail, with their own varying level of guilt and responsibility. All three of them are in states of isolation prior to going into prison and the camaraderie they build helps break them out.
The aspects that stand out the most in Down By Law, are: the black and white New Orleans city- and landscapes and the fact that the escape is completely glazed over. The jail break film is less about a jail break and more about taking the time to understand those around us.
