Mo' Better Blues (1990)

Director:

Spike Lee

Writer:

Spike Lee (writer)

Release Date:

3 August 1990 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Music

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...

Plot Keywords:

Trumpet | Directed By Co Star | Jazz Music | Star Died Before Release | Quintet

Awards:

1 win & 2 nominations

Cast

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

Also Known As:

A Love Supreme (USA) (working title)
Variations on the Mo' Better Blues (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

129 min | USA:130 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Certification:

Australia:M | Iceland:16 | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Finland:K-16 | USA:R | West Germany:16

Filming Locations:

141st Street, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Universal Pictures

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.

Goofs:

Continuity: During the performance of Bleek's "Pop Top Urban 40 Funk Love ... Song", Bleek's headgear changes from hat to baseball cap.

Quotes:

Bleek: I may have been born yesterday, but I stayed up all night.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Home Improvement: Mow Better Blues (#1.2)" (1991)

Classic Insight Into The NYC Jazz World

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.