sweet and lowdown

beth, mike, jay and i watched woody allen's sweet and lowdown last night. it was mike's first time to see it and beth's first time the whole way through. i forgot how much i love this film. it's probably my favorite allen movie. it's a simple love story that is alternately hysterical and heartbreaking. set in the 1930's, the film tells the story of emmit ray, who according to the film, was the second greatest guitar player in the world (django rhinehart being #1). the story is completely made up, as is emmit ray, but it is presented in convincing manner; so convincing that after the first time i saw the film, i went out in search of some of ray's music.

sean penn plays emmit and samantha morton is hattie, a mute girl that falls for emmit. both give wonderful performances (both were nominated for best actor/actress oscars), especially morton who gives so much life to a character who never utters a word.