IMDb >
Mo' Better Blues (1990)
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotesOverview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv scheduleAwards & Reviews
user reviewsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage boardPlot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotesFun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQOther Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDeskPromotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo galleryExternal Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clipsMo' Better Blues (1990) More at IMDbPro »
| Videos (see all 2) |
Overview
User Rating:
Your Rating:
Director:
Writer:
Spike Lee (writer)
Release Date:
3 August 1990 (USA)
more
Tagline:
A Spike Lee joint.
Plot:
Opens with Bleek as a child learning to play the trumpet, his friends want him to come out and play but mother insists he finish his lessons...
more
| add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Awards:
1 win
&
2 nominations
more
NewsDesk:
User Reviews:
Very Good, But Not On Par With Other Spike Work
more (26 total)
Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only)| Denzel Washington | ... | Bleek Gilliam | |
| Spike Lee | ... | Giant | |
| Wesley Snipes | ... | Shadow Henderson (Sax) | |
| Giancarlo Esposito | ... | Left Hand Lacey (Piano) | |
| Robin Harris | ... | Butterbean Jones | |
| Joie Lee | ... | Indigo Downes | |
| Bill Nunn | ... | Bottom Hammer (Bass) | |
| John Turturro | ... | Moe Flatbush | |
| Dick Anthony Williams | ... | Big Stop Williams | |
| Cynda Williams | ... | Clarke Bentancourt | |
| Nicholas Turturro | ... | Josh Flatbush | |
| Jeff 'Tain' Watts | ... | Rhythm Jones (Druns) | |
| Samuel L. Jackson | ... | Madlock | |
| Leonard L. Thomas | ... | Rod | |
| Charles Q. Murphy | ... | Eggy |
Additional Details
Also Known As:
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
129 min | USA:130 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
Filming Locations:
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
Usage of the film's original title: "A Love Supreme", was denied by Alice Coltrane, the widow of John Coltrane, the composer of the four-movement composition.
more
Goofs:
Continuity: During the performance of Bleek's "Pop Top Urban 40 Funk Love ... Song", Bleek's headgear changes from hat to baseball cap.
more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in "The Simpsons: A Star Is Burns (#6.18)" (1995)
more
FAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more (26 total)
Message Boards
Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Mo' Better Blues (1990) moreRecommendations
If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
Show more recommendations
|
|
|
|
|
| New York, New York | La leggenda del pianista sull'oceano | Brassed Off | Laurel Canyon | Hannah and Her Sisters |
|
IMDb User Rating: |
IMDb User Rating: |
IMDb User Rating: |
IMDb User Rating: |
IMDb User Rating: |
Related Links
| Full cast and crew | Company credits | External reviews |
| News articles | IMDb Comedy section | IMDb USA section |
| Add this title to MyMovies |








In Spike Lee's fourth film, Denzel Washington proves early in his career that he is capable of being funny and romantic in a more modest film than Glory or Cry Freedom, the music is breezy and romantic and consistent, jazzy and colorful cinematography, and another characteristic Spike Lee touch, which is his gift for drawing from his actors stunningly realistic performances. In some ensemble scenes, the dialogue seems like improvisation. Maybe it is.
Mo' Better Blues is a good, steady, effective drama, a portrait of a complex and overwrought musician and the indecision and jealousy that gradually eat away at his life, but it lacks the passion and brazen provocative nature of nearly all of Spike Lee's other films.
The cast, once again, is brilliant. Denzel is very very very authentic, faithful, graphic, and lifelike. My brother is a jazz musician and I've met several of his fellow musicians. I'm seasoned when it comes to jazz musicians. Take my word for it, Denzel's performance is entirely true. Snipes is brilliantly, swaggeringly audacious. Joie Lee comprehensively draws our sympathy towards her sensitive, self-conscious character and away from the elegant and subtly compelling Cynda Williams. Spike Lee himself is one of the most compelling characters. Samuel L. Jackson entertains in one of his millions and billions of early bit roles.
If I were to say, "I'm in the mood for a Spike Lee joint," this would not be one of the first films I pick, but it's different and enthralling. I mean, it's directed by Spike Lee, so how can it not be?