Synopsis
In the 1930s, jazz guitarist Emmet Ray idolizes Django Reinhardt, faces gangsters and falls in love with a mute woman.
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Cast
- Sean PennEmmet Ray
- Samantha MortonHattie
- Anthony LaPagliaAl Torrio
- Uma ThurmanBlanche Williams
- James UrbaniakHarry
- John WatersMr. Haynes
- Gretchen MolEllie
- Denis O'HareJake
- Molly PriceAnn
- Brian MarkinsonBill Shields
Recommendations
- 88
Chicago Sun-Times
Sean Penn('s) performances are master classes in the art of character development. - 83
Portland Oregonian
Amazing as Penn is, Morton is his equal, creating a complete personality out of gestures, glances and unadorned bits of actorly business. - 80
Washington Post
Penn's performance is the movie's ultimate grace note. As funny and ingenious as Allen's films can get, they are rarely known for depth of character. - 80
Dallas Observer
It is engaging, touching, and frequently funny. Maybe because his hero is inarticulate and his heroine is mute, Allen relies far more than usual on physical comedy than on the verbal jokes that are his strongest comic suit. - 75
New York Daily News
Penn hasn't attempted much comedy since "Fast Times at Ridgemont High," but he's masterful here. - 75
San Francisco Chronicle
The best reason in years to reconsider (Woody Allen). - 70
Newsweek
Doesn't add up to any big deal. But it's a likable, lively little ditty -- one theme, some clever variations -- that never wears out its welcome. - 67
Seattle Post-Intelligencer
A real showcase for Penn, who seems to positively delight in playing a slimy, hateful character that most stars would not go near.
