IMDb > Mo' Better Blues (1990)
Mo' Better Blues
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Mo' Better Blues (1990) More at IMDbPro »

Videos (see all 2)
Mo' Better Blues (1990) -- 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...
Mo' Better Blues (1990) -- US Home Video Trailer from Universal

Overview

User Rating:
6.3/10   3,915 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 21% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writer:
Spike Lee (writer)
Contact:
View company contact information for Mo' Better Blues on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
3 August 1990 (USA) more
Genre:
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
Awards:
1 win & 2 nominations more
NewsDesk:
Denzel Upset Over Racial Slur
 (From WENN. 3 December 2002)

User Comments:
Classic Insight Into The NYC Jazz World 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
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Also Known As:
A Love Supreme (USA) (working title)
Variations on the Mo' Better Blues (USA) (working title)
more
Runtime:
129 min | USA:130 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Denzel Washington's trumpet sound is played by Terence Blanchard and Branford Marsalis plays the sax for Wesley Snipes. The music you hear in the movie when the actors are "playing" was performed by Branford's working band which was used for "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" (1992) when Jay Leno took over. 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
Quotes:
Bleek: I may have been born yesterday, but I stayed up all night. more
Movie Connections:

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
4 out of 4 people found the following comment useful.
Classic Insight Into The NYC Jazz World, 12 December 2006
7/10
Author: youngman44 from United States

This is a very entertaining movie and it is underrated. The characters, story and music are captivating.

However, I think part of the reason for the lower ratings is the the poor camera effects. Lee focuses in on characters at times, as though they are standing and talking to a camera by themselves in some sterile room, such that it actually cheapens the film. There is a real lack of realism to this technique - it reminds me of 1960's style TV shows like Batman. It gives a feel that they ran out of money and when they had to go back and re-shoot the scene, they did so on the cheap. A minority may find this unique or appealing, but no great movie or director will use this technique. The filming with multiple characters in the shot is generally very good. But, the movie could have been better without these flaws.

The writing at times is exceptional. There are great lines, as well as very entertaining dialogue. The scenes between Denzel and Snipes are exude an extraordinary power and they offer an exceptional dynamic to the movie as a whole. The female characters are also very compelling. "Clark" (Cynda Williams) is extraordinarily attractive and the movement of the character through the course of the movie is well done.

It is difficult not to be captivated by this film. The positive cultural dynamic it captures is one that Americans can only hope to be present. Yet, one gets the feeling that reality is closer to the darker elements the movie exposes. Yet, there is ultimately a very positive message of love, responsibility.

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more (26 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Mo' Better Blues (1990)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
What the [bleep] is wrong with all these people on IMDB?!?! PopeyeTheSailor
Interviews With Production Designer Wynn Thomas morgands1
CHARLIE MURPHY!!! rdartigu
Can Spike Lee give his characters real names for a change? mrstaples
Spike Lee's character... psychologynicole
Halle Berry 'replaced' Cynda Williams? svetaswan
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