In ‘The Lowdown,’ Ethan Hawke is a bruised and battered hero obsessed with the truth

by

As a huge fan of Sterlin Harjo’s work, especially his incredible show “Reservation Dogs” (co-created with Taika Waititi), I was really intrigued by his new series, “The Lowdown.” It’s a deliberate departure, a full-on murder mystery with a definite noir vibe – kind of like how Donald Glover followed up the amazing “Atlanta” with a spy series. At first, you might think it’s a bit of a sidestep, especially since genre shows are *everywhere* on TV right now. But just because something uses familiar tropes doesn’t mean it can’t be brilliant. Think of chess – there are only a few pieces, but the possibilities are endless. And honestly, “The Lowdown,” which starts Tuesday on FX, absolutely delivers. It’s a smart, fresh take on the genre that really works.

Okay, so the film drops us right back into Oklahoma, this time shifting between the reservation and the city. Ethan Hawke is fantastic as Lee Raybon, a character immediately established as a bit of a mess – we first see him with a vape and a boot literally held together with duct tape. He’s a used bookstore owner who fancies himself a historian, but really, he’s a complicated guy – a friend pretty accurately calls him a ‘narcissistic cowboy’ who always plays the hero. Apparently, Lee is based on a real Tulsa journalist, Lee Roy Chapman, and his article about the dark side of a local celebrity. The film mirrors that with Lee investigating the powerful Washberg family and uncovering their history. As Lee himself puts it, he’s just a guy who digs up information, writes it down, and hopes someone cares. He admits he’s perpetually broke and unemployed, but completely driven by a need to find the truth.

Television

The FX series ‘The Lowdown,’ featuring Ethan Hawke, is set in and inspired by the Oklahoma hometown of its creator, Sterlin Harjo, who also wrote and directed the show.

The show kicks off with what seems like a suicide – but I have a feeling things aren’t what they appear – of Dale Washberg, played by Tim Blake Nelson. He’s always been the odd one out in his family, and the local paper called him an “Eccentric Osage County Man.” I’m already getting a ‘Reservation Dogs’ vibe – he’ll probably pop up again in some really unexpected, almost magical ways. He leaves behind his brother, Donald, who’s aiming to be governor, and his wife, Betty Jo. She had a tough upbringing and honestly, I’m wondering if she’s going to turn out to be a bit of a femme fatale – maybe even a character like Barbara Stanwyck in an old movie. I’m hooked already!

Lee, known for his lack of social awareness and tendency to stir up trouble, discovers a hidden mystery while browsing books at Dale’s estate sale. He finds a note inside a Jim Thompson novel that leads to more clues hidden within other crime books. Simultaneously, Lee is investigating Frank Martin, a wealthy developer, and questioning his recent purchases of Black-owned businesses in Tulsa. Martin’s prejudiced remarks reveal a potential conflict with local Indigenous tribes, whom he views as independent entities operating outside the law.

Many long-running TV shows drag on by repeating the same plot twists, introducing pointless side stories, or relying on endless action. But “The Lowdown,” similar to “Reservation Dogs,” uses its time more effectively – to develop its characters and their connections. The show lets people simply talk to each other, and extended conversations often form the core of an episode, like a particularly memorable one featuring Peter Dinklage and his former bookshop partner. Both actors deliver fantastic performances in that scene.

What I really love about this show is how effortlessly the conversations flow. It’s not overly explained; information just appears when you need it, almost like magic. There are these small, beautiful moments too – like when Lee’s daughter, Francis (Ryan Kiera Armstrong is incredible!), notices the shape of his nose while putting makeup on his bruises. Or when, even while being attacked, Lee has to clarify *where* he was written about – it wasn’t a newspaper, but a detailed magazine article! There’s an episode with John Doe from X giving a great performance where Lee actually talks his way out of a dangerous situation by proving he’s a writer – it’s just brilliant storytelling.

The show has a central mystery, but after seeing only five of the eight episodes, it’s hard to say where the story is headed or if it will ultimately pay off. Like “Reservation Dogs,” the focus is more on the characters than the plot, and they are all wonderfully developed, both major and minor. You can simply enjoy getting to know them without needing to know where things are going. Ethan Hawke plays his flawed and aging character with impressive humility. The cast is excellent, featuring Keith David as a poetic private investigator in a substantial role, Kaniehtiio Horn (from “Reservation Dogs”) as Lee’s ex-wife, and Michael Hitchcock as an antique dealer – the show even has a touch of the “Lovejoy” feel. Siena East shines as Lee’s witty bookstore employee, and Scott Shepherd plays a seemingly harmless character who hints at something more sinister. Even with limited screen time, the actors all make a strong impression, which is a testament to the well-written dialogue and smart casting.

Television

This season, shows like the drama ‘Black Rabbit,’ the documentary series ‘Mr. Scorsese,’ and the comedy ‘DMV’ demonstrate how television aims to appeal to a wide range of viewers, offering something for everyone.

The series clearly draws inspiration from classic noir films and stories – a scene even shows a character attending a screening of the 1949 film “The Set-Up” as part of a “Noir Nights” series. However, “The Lowdown” isn’t quite a true noir itself; it’s too playful and lighthearted. It’s not as grim as a Jim Thompson novel, but more reminiscent of a whimsical Hitchcock film or Robert Altman’s relaxed adaptation of Raymond Chandler’s “The Long Goodbye.” It’s similar to “The Rockford Files” in that the main character often gets beaten up and shows the marks, although Rockford always managed to keep his hair perfectly styled – something Lee definitely doesn’t.

Similar to the show “Reservation Dogs,” the setting is crucial here, grounding even the wildest events in reality. (Mark Schwartzbard, the director of photography from that show, returns, sharing directing duties with Christopher Norr.) The soundtrack features musicians with ties to Tulsa, and a central cafe, named Sweet Emily’s after a Leon Russell song and the woman it honors, serves as the backdrop for many natural conversations. The series is filled with subtle references to local culture and history – you don’t need to catch them all to enjoy it, but it’s a nice bonus if you do. The most important thing is simply to watch and experience the show.

Read More

2025-09-22 21:02