Mo' Better Blues

Be the first to write a review

Overview

Spike Lee's 1990 directing effort is a jazz film, the story of a fictional trumpeter named Bleek Gilliam Denzel Washington. He leads a quintet at the Beneath the Underground club with a flashy saxophonist named Shadow Henderson Wesley Snipes. Though Shadow takes a few too many solos, everything seems fine in Bleek's life. Trouble soon arises, however, and he is forced to make decisions regarding both his best friend Giant Spike Lee, and his relationships with two women. Giant, his manager and old pal, is addicted...
See more details below
This VHS is Not Available through BN.com
See All Options

More About This Product

Overview

Spike Lee's 1990 directing effort is a jazz film, the story of a fictional trumpeter named Bleek Gilliam Denzel Washington. He leads a quintet at the Beneath the Underground club with a flashy saxophonist named Shadow Henderson Wesley Snipes. Though Shadow takes a few too many solos, everything seems fine in Bleek's life. Trouble soon arises, however, and he is forced to make decisions regarding both his best friend Giant Spike Lee, and his relationships with two women. Giant, his manager and old pal, is addicted to gambling and often gets roughed up by thugs looking for pay back. Bleek is the only member of the quintet who wants to keep him as manager. The trumpeter's woman problems concern trying to decide between two girlfriends who both love him: a schoolteacher Joie Lee and a singer Cynda Williams. Spike's father Bill Lee scored the film, with contributions from Branford Marsalis, Terence Blanchard, Abbey Lincoln and Ruben Blades who plays Giant's bookie.
Read More Show Less

Editorial Reviews

All Movie Guide - Michael Costello
Spike Lee's film on the life of a jazz musician features some wonderful music, but in its slapdash construction and melodramatic hokiness, it does little to illuminate the nature of the profession it attempts to explore. Lee, whose father was a noted bass player, has an unquestionably vast knowledge of the jazz idiom and the kind of life that goes with it. But the conflict between a personal and professional life that can become a problem for so many musicians -- as it is for Lee's protagonist, Bleek Gilliam (Denzel Washington) -- is dealt with in only the most glib and superficial manner. A gifted trumpet player who can't decide which of his two women he cares for, he's reluctant to do the "mo better" when he feels he should be practicing, as though vital musical fluids might somehow be drained from his body. There's some amusing by-play among the musicians, and Wesley Snipes makes a strong impression as Bleek's sax player, but the film contains none of the intensely competitive, hothouse atmosphere of this musical world. The problem of the exploitation of musicians is addressed only in a repulsively anti-Semitic caricature of a pair of Jewish club owners. To top everything off, the film's ludicrous, deus ex machina ending is as bad as anything Hollywood pumps out at its worst. Still, there are some things to like, including the standup comedy of the late Robin Harris, the vibrant camera work of Ernest R. Dickerson, and Terence Blanchard's bracing score.
Read More Show Less

Product Details

  • Release Date: 3/1/1992
  • UPC: 096898101332
  • Original Release: 1990

    • Rating:

  • Source: Universal Studios
  • Format: VHS

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits
Denzel Washington Bleek Gilliam
Spike Lee Giant
Wesley Snipes Shadow Henderson
Joie Lee Indigo Downes
Cynda Williams Clarke Bentancourt
Giancarlo Esposito Left Hand Lacey
Robin Harris Butterbean Jones
Bill Nunn Bottom Hammer
Dick Anthony Williams Big Stop Gilliam
Ruben Blades Petey
Jeff "Tain" Watts Rhythm Jones
Nicholas Turturro Josh Flatbush
Abbey Lincoln Lillian Gilliam
Linda Hawkins Jeanne
Zakee Howze Young Bleek/Miles
Bill Lee Father of the Bride
Branford Marsalis Party Guest
Samuel L. Jackson Madlock
Leonard Thomas Rod
Charlie Murphy Eggy
Steve White Born Knowledge
Joe Seneca Big Stop's Friend
Tracy Camilla Johns
John Canada Terrell
Monty Ross
Mamie Louise Anderson Club Patron
Douglas Bourne Jimmy the Busboy
Leon Addison Brown Smith
Arnold Cromer Miles, Age 5
Herbert Daughtry Minister
Raye Dowell Rita
Anaysha Figueroa Shanika
Flavor Flav Impatient Movie Patron
Angela Hall Cora
Coati Mundi Roberto
Robi Reed
Deon Richmond Tyrone
Scot Anthony Robinson Cooley
Christopher Skeffrey Louis
Jelani Asar Snipes Miles, Age 1
John Sobestanovich Taxi Driver
Raymond Anthony Thomas Joe
Sheldon Turnipseed Benny
Carol M. Wiggins
Glenn Williams III Miles, Age 3
Terrence Williams Sam
Darryl M. Wonge Jr. Miles at Birth
Technical Credits
Spike Lee Director, Songwriter, Producer, Screenwriter
Matiki Anoff Makeup
Terence Blanchard Songwriter, Consultant/advisor
Tom Brumberger Special Effects
Ruth E. Carter Costumes/Costume Designer
Ornette Coleman Songwriter
Ernest R. Dickerson Cinematographer
Michael Max Fleming Consultant/advisor
Ted Glass Art Director, Set Decoration/Design
Donald Harrison Consultant/advisor
Jon Kilik Producer
Bill Lee Score Composer, Songwriter, Musical Direction/Supervision
Branford Marsalis Songwriter
Christopher "Play" Martin Songwriter
Raynard Miner Songwriter
Charles Mingus Songwriter
John C. Newby Camera Operator
Tom Newton Special Effects
Sam Pollard Editor
Robi Reed Casting
Monty Ross Co-producer
Wayne Shorter Songwriter
Carleton Smith Songwriter
Pam E. Stephens Art Director
Wynn P. Thomas Production Designer
Jeff Ward Stunts
Read More Show Less

Customer Reviews

Be the first to write a review
( 0 )
Rating Distribution

5 Star

(0)

4 Star

(0)

3 Star

(0)

2 Star

(0)

1 Star

(0)

Your Rating:

Review Guidelines
Add Recommendations
Your Name: Create a Pen Name or

Barnes & Noble.com Review Rules

Our reader reviews allow you to share your comments on titles you liked, or didn't, with others. By submitting an online review, you are representing to Barnes & Noble.com that all information contained in your review is original and accurate in all respects, and that the submission of such content by you and the posting of such content by Barnes & Noble.com does not and will not violate the rights of any third party. Please follow the rules below to help ensure that your review can be posted.

Reviews by Our Customers Under the Age of 13

We highly value and respect everyone's opinion concerning the titles we offer. However, we cannot allow persons under the age of 13 to have accounts at BN.com or to post customer reviews. Please see our Terms of Use for more details.

What to exclude from your review:

Please do not write about reviews, commentary, or information posted on the product page. If you see any errors in the information on the product page, please send us an email.

Reviews should not contain any of the following:

  • - HTML tags, profanity, obscenities, vulgarities, or comments that defame anyone
  • - Time-sensitive information such as tour dates, signings, lectures, etc.
  • - Single-word reviews. Other people will read your review to discover why you liked or didn't like the title. Be descriptive.
  • - Comments focusing on the author or that may ruin the ending for others
  • - Phone numbers, addresses, URLs
  • - Pricing and availability information or alternative ordering information
  • - Advertisements or commercial solicitation

Reminder:

  • - By submitting a review, you grant to Barnes & Noble.com and its sublicensees the royalty-free, perpetual, irrevocable right and license to use the review in accordance with the Barnes & Noble.com Terms of Use.
  • - Barnes & Noble.com reserves the right not to post any review -- particularly those that do not follow the terms and conditions of these Rules. Barnes & Noble.com also reserves the right to remove any review at any time without notice.
  • - See Terms of Use for other conditions and disclaimers.
Search for Products You'd Like to Recommend

Recommend other products that relate to your review. Just search for them below and share!

Create a Pen Name

Your Pen Name is your unique identity on BN.com. It will appear on the reviews you write and other website activities. Your Pen Name cannot be edited, changed or deleted once submitted.

 
Your Pen Name can be any combination of alphanumeric characters (plus - and _), and must be at least two characters long.

Continue Anonymously