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Mo' Better Blues (1990)

 -  Drama | Music  -  3 August 1990 (USA)
6.4
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Ratings: 6.4/10 from 5,958 users  
Reviews: 28 user | 23 critic

Jazz trumpeter Bleek Gilliam makes questionable decisions in his professional and romantic life.

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Title: Mo' Better Blues (1990)

Mo' Better Blues (1990) on IMDb 6.4/10

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
...
...
...
...
Left Hand Lacey (Piano)
...
Butterbean Jones
...
Indigo Downes
...
Bottom Hammer (Bass)
...
Moe Flatbush
...
Big Stop Williams
...
Clarke Bentancourt
...
Josh Flatbush
Jeff 'Tain' Watts ...
Rhythm Jones (Druns)
...
Madlock
Leonard L. Thomas ...
Rod
...
Eggy
Edit

Storyline

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. Bleek grows into adulthood and forms his own band - The Bleek Gilliam Quartet. The story of Bleek's and Shadow's friendly rivalry on stage which spills into their professional relationship and threatens to tear apart the quartet. Written by David <DGOWERS6@CHECLABA.SCU.EDU.AU>

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

trumpet | friend | stage | jazz | rage | See more »

Taglines:

A Spike Lee joint.

Genres:

Drama | Music

Certificate:

R | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

Country:

Language:

Release Date:

3 August 1990 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

A Love Supreme  »

Box Office

Budget:

$10,000,000 (estimated)

Gross:

$16,153,600 (USA)
 »

Company Credits

Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Color:

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
See  »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

The film was dedicated to actor/comedian Robin Harris who died after the film was completed. See more »

Goofs

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

Quotes

Bleek: Who asked you?
Left Hand Lacey: Nobody asked me, man.
BleekShadow Henderson: [in unison] Then shut the fuck up!
See more »

Crazy Credits

Flavor Flave of the rap group Public Enemy spells out the letters in "Universal" as the studio logo appears on the screen. See more »

Connections

Referenced in The Simpsons: A Star Is Burns (1995) See more »

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User Reviews

 
Spike Lee, ya got this one right!
4 December 1998 | by (Detroit, Michigan USA) – See all my reviews

One of Spike Lee's best, "Mo Better Blues" captures the atmosphere of jazz. The soundtrack flows with the acting like a song. Denzel Washington does a great job of portraying a jazzman's quest for perfection, while living in a "real world" full of problems. Being a musician myself, I appreciated the struggle Washington's character was going through. All of Spike Lee's trademark camera angles (which I've disliked in some of his movies) worked to perfection in this movie. Great music, good acting, and a solid plot. Recommend!


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