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Movies / On DVD / Mo' Better Blues
Mo' Better Blues

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Mo' Better Blues (1990)

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Reviews Counted:30

Fresh:21

Rotten:9

Average Rating:6/10

Runtime: 2 hrs 9 mins

Genre: Dramas

Synopsis: Spike Lee ventures into the world of jazz music with this stylish romantic drama. Forced by his mother to study the trumpet, Bleek Gilliam (Denzel Washington) has grown up to become the leader of a... Spike Lee ventures into the world of jazz music with this stylish romantic drama. Forced by his mother to study the trumpet, Bleek Gilliam (Denzel Washington) has grown up to become the leader of a successful jazz quintet. Managed by his inept friend, Giant (Lee), Bleek clashes with fellow band member Shadow Henderson (Wesley Snipes). Making matters worse is Bleek's romantic situation: trying to balance two different women at the same time--schoolteacher Indigo Downes (Joie Lee) and aspiring singer Clarke Bentancourt (Cynda Williams). In a hysterical moment, the line is blurred when, while making love, Bleek calls each woman by the other's name. As he struggles to keep the quintet alive and flourishing, he must decide once and for all what it is he really wants: Indigo, Clarke, or his trumpet. The son of jazz musician Bill Lee, who contributes music to the film, Lee has written a script that crackles with witty behind-the-scenes banter that feels natural and fresh. Ernest R. Dickerson's camera moves at an even brisker pace than in other Lee films, which compliments the bouncy soundtrack, making MO' BETTER BLUES an entertaining ride. [More]

Starring: Denzel Washington, Joie Lee, Cynda Williams, Spike Lee

Starring: Denzel Washington, Joie Lee, Cynda Williams, Spike Lee, Wesley Snipes, Giancarlo Esposito, Robin Harris, Bill Nunn, John Turturro, Dick Anthony Williams

Director: Spike Lee

Director: Spike Lee

[See More Credits]

Reviews for Mo' Better Blues

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1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 >> >|
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It’s tight, suspenseful, funny and packed with great music.

Full Review Source: Empire Magazine | comment Comment
09/22/08
Charles Shaar Murray
Charles Shaar Murray
Empire Magazine
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Denzel, Wesley and Co are fine, but Mo' Better Blues hits too many bum notes.

Full Review Source: Channel 4 Film | comment Comment
09/22/08
Channel 4 Film
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Despite stylish camerawork and sturdy acting, this lengthy indulgence succeeds neither as jazz movie nor as cautionary tale.

Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
02/09/06
Geoff Andrew
Geoff Andrew
Time Out
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Full of wonderful music, grand visuals, and melodramatic plot twists, the movie is laced with very funny moments, as well as interesting insights into the world of jazz and the plight of the dedicated musician.

Full Review Source: TV Guide's Movie Guide | comment Comment
09/22/08
TV Guide's Movie Guide
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Personal rather than social issues come to the fore in Mo' Better Blues, a Spike Lee personality piece dressed in jazz trappings that puffs itself up like Bird but doesn't really fly.

Full Review Source: Variety | comment Comment
09/22/08
Variety Staff
Variety Staff
Variety
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Though it's full of striking visual ideas and actorly turns, it never fully convinces.

Full Review Source: Chicago Reader | comment Comment
09/22/08
Jonathan Rosenbaum
Jonathan Rosenbaum
Chicago Reader

Centering on the career of a jazz musician (well played by Denzel Washington, just before he became a star), this mid-range picture has nice production values but the drama is too diffuse, lacking the edge of Spike Lee's more overtly political works.

Full Review Source: EmanuelLevy.Com | comment Comment
06/24/08
Emanuel Levy
Emanuel Levy
EmanuelLevy.Com

Spike Lee's film is filled with promising ideas and moments of technical virtuosity.

comment Comment
06/14/07
Douglas Pratt
Douglas Pratt
DVDLaser

No review available.

comment Comment
03/13/06
Cole Smithey
Cole Smithey
ColeSmithey.com

No review available.

comment Comment
03/08/05
Jonathan R. Perry
Jonathan R. Perry
Tyler Morning Telegraph (Texas)

Mo' Better Blues is not a great film, but it's an interesting one, which is almost as rare.

Full Review Source: Chicago Sun-Times | comment Comment
10/23/04
Roger Ebert
Roger Ebert
Chicago Sun-Times
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Atmospheric character study by Lee with a bravely unlikable Denzel Washington.

comment Comment
09/09/04
Rob Thomas
Rob Thomas
Capital Times (Madison, WI)

No review available.

comment Comment
07/18/04
Derek Smith
Derek Smith
Apollo Guide

No review available.

comment Comment
04/07/04
Linda Cook
Linda Cook
Quad City Times (Davenport, IA)

No review available.

comment Comment
03/19/04
Daniel M. Kimmel
Daniel M. Kimmel
Worcester Telegram & Gazette

No review available.

comment Comment
01/02/04
Michael Dequina
Michael Dequina
TheMovieReport.com

No review available.

comment Comment
08/22/03
Carol Cling
Carol Cling
Las Vegas Review-Journal

From characters to camera angles, this story of a self-absorbed jazz trumpeter is one long cliche, the kind that might make his most loyal admirers wince and wonder, 'Spike, what happened?'

Full Review Source: New York Times | comment Comment
05/20/03
Caryn James
Caryn James
New York Times
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

No review available.

comment Comment
01/09/03
Jeffrey Westhoff
Jeffrey Westhoff
Northwest Herald (Crystal Lake, IL)

No review available.

comment Comment
11/16/02
Nicolas Lacroix
Nicolas Lacroix
Showbizz.net
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 >> >|
all

Latest News for Mo' Better Blues

April 05, 2005: Spike & Denzel to Team Up for a Fourth Flick
Blackfilm.com snagged an interesting quote from controversial filmmaker Spike Lee. The director was attending an after-party for Denzel Washington's Broadway opening of... More...

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