'Round Midnight (1986)

A troubled, but talented musician flees the US to escape his problems, finding refuge and support in Paris.

Director:

Bertrand Tavernier

Writers:

David Rayfiel (screenplay), Bertrand Tavernier (screenplay)

Stars:

Dexter Gordon, François Cluzet, Gabrielle Haker

Won 1 Oscar. Another 10 wins & 10 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Dexter Gordon	...	Dale Turner
François Cluzet	...	Francis Borler
Gabrielle Haker	...	Berangere
Sandra Reaves-Phillips	...	Buttercup
Lonette McKee	...	Darcey Leigh
Christine Pascal	...	Sylvie
Herbie Hancock	...	Eddie Wayne
Bobby Hutcherson	...	Ace
Pierre Trabaud	...	Francis's Father
Frédérique Meininger	...	Francis's Mother
Hart Leroy Bibbs	...	Hershell
Liliane Rovère	...	Madame Queen
Ged Marlon	...	Beau
Benoît Régent	...	Psychiatrist
Victoria Gabrielle Platt	...	Chan Turner

Storyline

In 'Round Midnight, real-life jazz legend Dexter Gordon brilliantly portrays the fictional tenor sax player Dale Turner, a musician slowly losing the battle with alcoholism, estranged from his family, and hanging on by a thread in the 1950's New York jazz world. Dale gets an offer to play in Paris, where, like many other black American musicians at the time, he enjoys a respect for his humanity that is not based upon the color of his skin. A Parisian man who is obsessed with Turner's music befriends him and attempts to save Turner from himself. Although for Dale the damage is already done, his poignant relationship with the man and his young daughter re-kindles his spirit and his music as the end draws near.

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Plot Keywords:

jazz | musician | alcoholism | jazz score | jazz music | 

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Taglines:

The music and the magic come together...

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Genres:

Drama | Music

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

USA France

Language:

English French

Release Date:

3 October 1986 (USA)

Also Known As:

Round Midnight

Filming Locations:

Lyon, Rhône, Rhône-Alpes, France

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$25,384, 5 October 1986, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$3,272,600

Company Credits

Production Co:

Little Bear,PECF

Technical Specs

Runtime:

133 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

All the music is performed live, on the set. There are two soundtrack albums: one from Columbia and another "The Other Side of 'Round Midnight" under Dexter Gordon's name on the Blue Note label.

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Goofs

The drum hardware and cymbal stands are 80s vintage, i.e. heavy tubing, whereas the proper period stands would be much lighter and smaller.

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Quotes

Dale: Berangere... that's a big name for a little girl.

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Connections

References Swamp Water (1941)

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Soundtracks

Society Red
Written by Dexter Gordon

User Reviews

The Joy of Life in the Miracle of Creating/ Performing Music

This movie is about an aging, venerable jazz musician and composer, but it could be about any artist, particularly a musician, be he a classical, country western or blues artist. But the real star of the movie is the performing of the music--how it makes ineffable beauty, brings people together, touches the individual soul, creates love. The story shows how jazz and, in particular, this jazz musician (a composite of real jazz musicians and composers) inspires a young Frenchman whose life has been changed by this jazz artist's music. The plot is simple and transparent, but digs deep into the soul of a viewer who yields himself up to the movie, whether he likes jazz or not. I highly recommend this movie that shows the ups and downs of life in several aspects, but is really a tribute not merely to jazz musicians, but actually to the beauty of life that is found in personal experience and, more importantly, in inspiring works of art. The director Bertrand Tavernier is French and has made many movies, on a wide variety of subjects. This film is almost all in English, but his French films are well worth watching, even if you have issues with subtitles. This film made me cry and other of his films have similarly moved me. I hope readers will see this film and perhaps venture to watch some other films by director Tavernier. "A thing of beauty is a joy forever."