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IMDbPro

Mo' Better Blues

  • 19901990
  • RR
  • 2h 10m
IMDb RATING
6.7/10
13K
YOUR RATING
Denzel Washington, Spike Lee, Joie Lee, and Cynda Williams in Mo' Better Blues (1990)
Home Video Trailer from Universal Studios Home Entertainment
Play trailer0:31
1 Video
98 Photos
DramaMusicRomance
Jazz trumpeter Bleek Gilliam makes questionable decisions in his professional and romantic lives.Jazz trumpeter Bleek Gilliam makes questionable decisions in his professional and romantic lives.Jazz trumpeter Bleek Gilliam makes questionable decisions in his professional and romantic lives.
IMDb RATING
6.7/10
13K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Spike Lee
  • Writer
    • Spike Lee
  • Stars
    • Denzel Washington
    • Spike Lee
    • Wesley Snipes
  • Director
    • Spike Lee
  • Writer
    • Spike Lee
  • Stars
    • Denzel Washington
    • Spike Lee
    • Wesley Snipes
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 45User reviews
    • 28Critic reviews
    • 61Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 win & 3 nominations

    Videos1

    Mo' Better Blues
    Trailer 0:31
    Watch Mo' Better Blues

    Photos98

    Spike Lee in Mo' Better Blues (1990)
    Denzel Washington and Cynda Williams in Mo' Better Blues (1990)
    Spike Lee in Mo' Better Blues (1990)
    Denzel Washington and Spike Lee in Mo' Better Blues (1990)
    Spike Lee in Mo' Better Blues (1990)
    Wesley Snipes in Mo' Better Blues (1990)
    Spike Lee in Mo' Better Blues (1990)
    Denzel Washington and Cynda Williams in Mo' Better Blues (1990)
    Giancarlo Esposito in Mo' Better Blues (1990)
    Denzel Washington and Spike Lee in Mo' Better Blues (1990)
    Spike Lee and Rubén Blades in Mo' Better Blues (1990)
    Denzel Washington, Spike Lee, Joie Lee, and Cynda Williams in Mo' Better Blues (1990)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Denzel Washington
    Denzel Washington
    • Bleek Gilliam
    Spike Lee
    Spike Lee
    • Giant
    Wesley Snipes
    Wesley Snipes
    • Shadow Henderson (Sax)
    Giancarlo Esposito
    Giancarlo Esposito
    • Left Hand Lacey (Piano)
    Robin Harris
    Robin Harris
    • Butterbean Jones
    Joie Lee
    Joie Lee
    • Indigo Downes
    Bill Nunn
    Bill Nunn
    • Bottom Hammer (Bass)
    John Turturro
    John Turturro
    • Moe Flatbush
    Dick Anthony Williams
    Dick Anthony Williams
    • Big Stop Williams
    Cynda Williams
    Cynda Williams
    • Clarke Bentancourt
    Nicholas Turturro
    Nicholas Turturro
    • Josh Flatbush
    Jeff 'Tain' Watts
    • Rhythm Jones (Drums)
    Samuel L. Jackson
    Samuel L. Jackson
    • Madlock
    Leonard L. Thomas
    Leonard L. Thomas
    • Rod
    Charlie Murphy
    Charlie Murphy
    • Eggy
    • (as Charles Q. Murphy)
    Steve White
    Steve White
    • Born Knowledge
    Rubén Blades
    Rubén Blades
    • Petey
    Abbey Lincoln
    Abbey Lincoln
    • Lillian Gilliam
    • Director
      • Spike Lee
    • Writer
      • Spike Lee
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Denzel Washington and Wesley Snipes were trained to mimic the playing of the instruments they play in the film (trumpet and saxophone), by musicians Terence Blanchard and Donald Harrison. Washington later admitted that he was lucky if he could play three notes of a simple tune prior to filming, and ended up being able to correctly mimic most of the songs performed in the film, as did Snipes.
    • Goofs
      During the performance of Bleek's "Pop Top Urban 40 Funk Love ... Song", Bleek's headgear changes from hat to baseball cap.
    • Quotes

      Clarke: 'Cause mo better makes it mo better.

    • Crazy credits
      Flavor Flave of the rap group Public Enemy spells out the letters in "Universal" as the studio logo appears on the screen.
    • Connections
      Edited into Cynda Williams: Harlem Blues (1990)
    • Soundtracks
      Harlem Blues
      Written and performed by Branford Marsalis Quartet and Terence Blanchard

      Vocals by Cynda Williams

    User reviews45

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    One of the better movies i have seen this and last year
    First of all let me see i'm a big jazz fan. Furthermore with Spike Lee as a director and a lot of good actors you have a good start for a film.

    It's kind of a dramatic and comedy film. Denzell plays a terrific role as as an artist who only wants his music, and neglects his girlfriends. And after an accident loses his love of his life (music). Only then he starts to realise there is more to his life than music.......
    helpful•3
    2
    • HAK
    • Jan 8, 1999

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • August 3, 1990 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • A Love Supreme
    • Filming locations
      • Brooklyn Bridge, New York City, New York, USA
    • Production companies
      • Universal Pictures
      • 40 Acres & A Mule Filmworks
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $10,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $16,153,593
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $4,387,360
      • Aug 5, 1990
    • Gross worldwide
      • $16,153,593
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 10 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

    Related news

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    Denzel Washington, Spike Lee, Joie Lee, and Cynda Williams in Mo' Better Blues (1990)
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    By what name was Mo' Better Blues (1990) officially released in India in English?
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