'Round Midnight (1986)

User Rating:

7.3/10   

Director:

Bertrand Tavernier

Writers:

David Rayfiel (screenplay) and
Bertrand Tavernier (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

3 October 1986 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Music

Tagline:

The music and the magic come together...

Plot:

In 'Round Midnight, real-life jazz legend Dexter Gordon brilliantly portrays the fictional tenor sax player Dale Turner...

Plot Keywords:

Musician | Jazz | Paris France | New York City | Time In Title

Awards:

Won Oscar. Another 8 wins & 6 nominations

Cast

Dexter Gordon	...	Dale Turner
François Cluzet	...	Francis Borler
Gabrielle Haker	...	Berangere
Sandra Reaves-Phillips	...	Buttercup
Lonette McKee	...	Darcey Leigh
Christine Pascal	...	Sylvie
Herbie Hancock	...	Eddie Wayne
Bobby Hutcherson	...	Ace
Pierre Trabaud	...	Francis's Father
Frédérique Meininger	...	Francis's Mother
Hart Leroy Bibbs	...	Hershell
Liliane Rovère	...	Madame Queen
Ged Marlon	...	Beau
Benoît Régent	...	Psychiatrist
Victoria Gabrielle Platt	...	Chan Turner

Also Known As:

Autour de minuit (France)

Runtime:

133 min

Country:

USA | France

Language:

English | French

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Iceland:L | Australia:M | Argentina:Atp | Finland:S | Norway:12 | UK:15 | USA:R | West Germany:12 | Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

Lyon, Rhône, Rhône-Alpes, France

Company:

Little Bear

Trivia:

The character of Francis Borler is based on real-life person Francis Paudras who died in 1997. The character of Dale Turner played by actual jazz musician Dexter Gordon is based on a combination of real-life jazzmen Bud Powell and Lester Young. The real-life friendship between Paudras and Bud Powell has been the subject of several books.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: The recording studio is wildly anachronistic. The sort of console in the control room didn't exist until at least the mid 70's. They were much smaller and simpler in 1959, when stereo was in it infancy.

Quotes:

Ace: It would be the best city in the world if I could just find some okra.
Buttercup: What the hell do you know about Paris, Ace? You don't do nothin' but stay in that damn room in your robe and slippers cooking all day.
Ace: At least I'm doing it in Paris.

Movie Connections:

References Swamp Water (1941)

Soundtrack:

'Round Midnight

The Joy of Life in the Miracle of Creating/ Performing Music

This movie is about an aging, venerable jazz musician and composer, but it could be about any artist, particularly a musician, be he a classical, country western or blues artist. But the real star of the movie is the performing of the music--how it makes ineffable beauty, brings people together, touches the individual soul, creates love. The story shows how jazz and, in particular, this jazz musician (a composite of real jazz musicians and composers) inspires a young Frenchman whose life has been changed by this jazz artist's music. The plot is simple and transparent, but digs deep into the soul of a viewer who yields himself up to the movie, whether he likes jazz or not. I highly recommend this movie that shows the ups and downs of life in several aspects, but is really a tribute not merely to jazz musicians, but actually to the beauty of life that is found in personal experience and, more importantly, in inspiring works of art. The director Bertrand Tavernier is French and has made many movies, on a wide variety of subjects. This film is almost all in English, but his French films are well worth watching, even if you have issues with subtitles. This film made me cry and other of his films have similarly moved me. I hope readers will see this film and perhaps venture to watch some other films by director Tavernier. "A thing of beauty is a joy forever."