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A Harlem Renaisaance for the early 90s......................

Denzel plays a life long musician who puts his music first, while pushing his relationships with his two girlfriends to the back burner. When each girlfriend decide that they cant hang with his program, they bounce leaving Denzel and his music out in the cold.


Great Performances from Robin Harris and Cynda Williams.

'Cause mo better makes it mo better.

Focus, my man, focus. Your world is about to come tumbling down around you. While you are playing that trumpet, your sax player (Wesley Snipes) is scheming about his own band, the two lovers (Joie Lee & Cynda Williams) that you are torn between are tired of being ignored, and your manager (Spike Lee) is so deep into the bookie that he will never get out and drag you down with him.Work and love. How many of us have been torn between the two. We focus on one and the other slides. Denzell Washington (Traing Day, Glory) is Bleek Gilliam, the leader of a jazz quintet who is so focused on his music that he ignored all that is going on around him until it is too late. What do you do the day after your world comes crashing down? Where do you go when facing the brick wall? Bleek has to face these questions, as we all do at one time or another.Sure there is great music to listen to in this film, but there is so much more to ponder while listening.

Spike Lee makes it Mo'Betta

"Spike you've done it again".I absolutely love this movie.Not just because of the excellent job that Denzel Washington did, but the entire cast was magnificent. I love the vast array of colors and who doesn't like the "special" way Spike uses the camera.I found this to be a very accurate look into the life of a self-centered Jazz musician.This has got to be the best love story that I have ever seen. Not only was it a love story of a man to a woman, but it was also a love story from one"brother" to another.(Bleek and Giant) He had to have had some kind of love in his heart for Giant or he would not have been bothered with him after they were beaten up together for his gambling debt. I now own every movie Spike Lee has ever made. I can truly say that I am a fan for life.Keep keepin'it real.Ya dig Sho' nuff Myskal

Mo Better is Spike's Best

Mo Better is Mo Better! Everything is in this story. I love Spike's take on relationship in this movie. Any jazz lover will love this movie. A must for all Spike fans.

Cause mo better makes it mo better.

I am normally a Spike Lee fan. It takes some time to really get into his "mojo", but once you see the clear message and the ability to tell the story that is close to his heart, Lee is a genius. Unlike The 25th Hour or Bamboozled (two of my favorite films of his), there was no clear story in this film. I was able to understand the struggle between Washington and the choice to play well or be influenced by others, but for some odd reason Lee was never able to get the true feeling out. Washington did a decent job with what was handed to him, but you could tell that this was not Lee's favorite film. Not only did Lee direct this film, but he also wrote it. You could tell. The camera work was horrid and the writing only contributed to the decay of the film. This film was coming full circle and it wasn't going to be pretty. Lee was not 100% behind this film as he was with Do the Right Thing. Of all the films I have seen Lee direct, this was the brightest and more modest of his films. It was almost as if he created a Hollywood movie instead of one that was all his own. I don't know if he saw the money from Do the Right Thing and ran with it, or what … but this film did not demonstrate his true talent.For anyone out there that has seen this film, and perhaps stopped watching anything directed by Spike Lee afterwards due to this film, I suggest you give him a second chance. Don't get me wrong, I see exactly where you are coming from with this film and why you would want to put this behind you, but Lee does grow up. His work becomes more of his own, and you can see the transformation from a desire to make money to just wanting to make good films. It took me awhile to watch The 25th Hour, but when I did, it was sheer brilliance. Perhaps it was the actors, perhaps the story, but Lee crafted an amazing film out of one man's journey into the unknown. I guess that is what I was hoping Mo' Better Blues would turn out to be. This really dark journey into the life of a man that really never grew up, but instead all I got was Denzel being Denzel. He really is one of the most versatile actors of this generation, and I do consider him the Sydney Poitier of cinema, but this was not the film to showcase his talent.Another issue that I had with this film was the use of Spike's sister playing one of the love interests. I don't know about you, and your family, but I do not think that I could have filmed a sex scene with my sister. I don't care who the actor is or how much money I am getting paid, I would never do it. It is just something that I never wish to see, but apparently that is different for Spike. He went ahead and showed the full nude image of his sister without any remorse. It was sad and it even made me blush. Also, I need somebody to answer me this. What was Flavor Flav doing introducing this film? So, I am sitting there on my couch, ready to start the film, when suddenly there is a voice from the past spelling out the studio that made this film, then he acknowledges himself. That did not build for a strong remaining of the story. Again, I felt that Lee was going for money on this film instead of actual talent. Perhaps that is how he could afford both Denzel and Wesley in the same movie without any explosions.There were two great scenes in this film that made it worth watching through to the end. Don't get me wrong, this was a very bad movie, but there is always a diamond in every alleyway. The scene when Bleek accidentally forgets which woman he is with was mesmerizing. He continually went back and forth, weaving truth to confusion in a way that proved that Lee was actually behind the camera. It was a visionary scene that was probably lost in the shuffle due to the remaining poor scenes. The other scene that was worth watching was the way that Lee introduced and ended the film. By keeping the same pacing and direction, he was able to bring this tragic character around full circle and give him the chance to change his life. Other than these two moments, the rest of the film was pure rubbish, not worth viewing unless you are about to go blind.Grade: ** out of *****

Beautiful

This is one of the most visually beautiful film with African-American actors I've ever seen (another that comes to mind is Devil in a Blue Dress, also starring Denzel Washington). The opening credits are a masterful combination of music and shadows.
Overall, an enjoyable contemporary story of young, single African-Americans filmed in Brooklyn and Manhattan, a rarity for its time. They're making more of this type of film today . . . but the actors are getting younger and younger!

Not perfect but far from a dud

The music clearly is the star of this film. Mixing avant garde jazz with more standard fare and doing it successfully. You love music, you love this film. The film itself is worth watching too. The usual expert and hardworking performance from the very photogenic Denzel Washington and Cynda Williams is so sexy I wouldn't care if she couldn't act (but she is a competent actress). Spike Lee's an artist and the way he photographs his scenes is always a pleasure. This is a better story than some of his other films. Don't see how a real lover of cinema could hate this movie.

The first film in the Denzel/Spike Trilogy

Denzel Washington and Spike Lee remind me of Bruce Campbell and Sam Raimi when it comes to actors and directors.This is the first film they worked on together and it was a success. The storyline and music are all great and Spike continues to make good movie. I give this film ***8 out of ****.

mo better blues

I got the DVD's in a timely fashion but this DVD only plays on my laptop. I'm disapointed because it's one of my favorites and I was really looking forward to watching it on my big screen TV...

Surprised how much I liked it

When this was on TV the other night, I expected to stick out about two minutes of it. Being a follower of Tarantino, all I'd heard recently of Spike Lee was wholly negative. In addition, I know nothing of black culture and/or jazz. Imagine my surprise then when, two hours later, I found myself entirely intoxicated by the blend of atmosphere, empathy, humour and pure depth of character and relationship in this exceptional movie. Next up, I'm watching all his other movies... Quentin, make your peace!

Interesting interpretation of life and love...

I really enjoyed this film. Everyone has a Bleek in his life: someone whose love of his life is all he knows, wants to know, etc. However, we always lose the love of our life for various reasons. Then, what do you do when the love of your life is suddenly taken from you? That is this film's theme. Bleek's only love was jazz music. Bleek's music was the only thing that mattered to him. Music overrode everything: an incompetent manager (who was his best friend), his lovers, and the contentment of his bandmates (the money issue which is related to having an incompetent manager). When Bleek lost the love of his life (watch the film to learn why), he was forced to make some hard choices about his life and face some unpleasant truths (something we've all had to do).I enjoyed the score and the jazz pieces included in this film (after all, Bleek played the trumpet). I really liked the cinematography in this film because the film showed the beauty of New York City - the brownstones, the Manhattan skyline (a brief glimpse), the Brooklyn Bridge, etc.

Denzel Washington and Wesley Snipes

It was not until Denzel placed himself under the direction of Spike Lee that he managed to lift his career to a commercial status. Already by this stage, Denzel was an academy award winner, but he had not yet achieved commercial fame. Spike Lee was the director (like Hitchcock for Cary Grant and James Stewart) to lift Denzel to global proportions. Denzel is a jazz musician who is manipulated by his father to play music from an early age. Music becomes his livelihood and full time occupation as an adult, but comes to an abrupt end when Samuel L. Jackson not only damages Denzel's hands and mouth, but also manages to do the same to Wesley Snipes within the same time and space. Never to be seen again, the unknown Samuel L. Jackson makes jacket potatoes of the favoured Wesley Snipes and the academy award winner, Denzel Washington. Both Denzel and Wesley are managed by Spike in the jazz club that they play for, and Spike develops a fruitful relationship with Denzel even though Wesley is boning Denzel's girlfriend. At face value, you could be forgiven for thinking that Spike favoured Denzel above Wesley, and was a pity that Denzel and Wesley didn't have a confrontational fight. Within the film, you see the usual Spike Lee trademark of characters sliding along the road in a profile shot, looking eery and zoned out. A Spike Lee trademark, but adds nothing extra to the film.

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.......

Spike Lee favorite

If you enjoy Spike Lee movies and his jazzy background musical scores, then you'll enjoy Mo Better Blues. It allows you to enjoy the music as part of the movie and not only as a background soundtrack. The characters do a good job of portraying musicians and their eccentric lifestyles.

Will this movie never end?

Crikey, lads, it's worth seeing for sure, but there's no plot and very few characters to care about. Scenes drag on past their logical end, and Mr. Spikey makes his points with the subtlety of a flyin' mallet. Kinda like Purple Rain in that if you could only remove the dialogue and leave the music, you'd have you one heckuva ham sandwich. Denzel delights, as he always do. And does anyone believe that slapdash ending? Nope.

Classic Insight Into The NYC Jazz World

This is a very entertaining movie and it is underrated. The characters, story and music are captivating.However, I think part of the reason for the lower ratings is the the poor camera effects. Lee focuses in on characters at times, as though they are standing and talking to a camera by themselves in some sterile room, such that it actually cheapens the film. There is a real lack of realism to this technique - it reminds me of 1960's style TV shows like Batman. It gives a feel that they ran out of money and when they had to go back and re-shoot the scene, they did so on the cheap. A minority may find this unique or appealing, but no great movie or director will use this technique. The filming with multiple characters in the shot is generally very good. But, the movie could have been better without these flaws.The writing at times is exceptional. There are great lines, as well as very entertaining dialogue. The scenes between Denzel and Snipes are exude an extraordinary power and they offer an exceptional dynamic to the movie as a whole. The female characters are also very compelling. "Clark" (Cynda Williams) is extraordinarily attractive and the movement of the character through the course of the movie is well done.It is difficult not to be captivated by this film. The positive cultural dynamic it captures is one that Americans can only hope to be present. Yet, one gets the feeling that reality is closer to the darker elements the movie exposes. Yet, there is ultimately a very positive message of love, responsibility.

Here's an idea...

Spike once said that this is a film about a genius battling his inner demons. Like every great musician, the one thing he loves most can not love him back, and he can only hope to hold on to it forever. When he loses it, he must come to grips with his isolation. Viewed in that light, I think Spike did an OK job. Not great, just OK.

I think Spike tried to hide Bleek's bad side until after he lost his music. He made Bleek look like a virtuoso that had it all - talent, success and women. I think that as far as the story, Spike overlooked many of the details in character development that could have made the movie more dramatic and would have given the viewer more insight into the pain Bleek experienced. We had to rely on Denzel's acting (which was excellent) to understand the heartache. And Spike perhaps spent too much time on Giant's development. Giant was a supporting character, but oft times seemed to be the star. (Was it Spike's own ego that caused him to do this?) And I think because of the lack of character development, Bleek's return to Indigo, albiet emotional and heartfeeling, was just not truly believable.

This is a film with excellent acting, cinematography, dialogue, music and sound, but the story, unfortunately, does not hold up to tight scrutiny. Then again, when did Spike ever worry about that? Never. Still worth 4 stars.

Nice...

I saw this film when it was released (summer of 1990). I didn't appreciate it because I was 21 (a kid who wouldn't get the major theme). I recently purchased the DVD, and I watched it for the first time in 13 years.

I really enjoyed this film. Everyone has (or has had) a Bleek in his life: someone who is so self-centered on his/her desires that he/she doesn't show respect or regard for anything else. However, we always lose the love of our life for various reasons. Then, what do you do when the love of your life is suddenly taken from you? That is this film's theme. Bleek's true love was music - jazz music. Bleek's love of music was the most important thing to him. Music overrode everything: an incompetent manager (who just happened to be his best friend), his lovers, and the contentment of his bandmates (the money issue which is related to having an incompetent manager).

I enjoyed the score and the jazz pieces included in this film (after all, Bleek played the trumpet). I really liked the cinematography in this film because the film showed the beauty of New York City - the brownstones, the Manhattan skyline (a brief glimpse), the Brooklyn Bridge, etc.

All in all, a good film. Rated 4 stars (not 5 stars because I thought the ending of the film was too rushed).

Not Spike's best, but still a great movie

Spike Lee is, in my opinion, one of the most exciting young filmmakers to emerge in the last 20 years. While "Mo' Better Blues" is not as wonderful as "Do the Right Thing" or "Malcolm X," it still deserves considerable recognition as one of his more solid efforts. The story is a bit uneven, but the acting and the music more than make up for it.Denzel Washington plays Bleek Gilliam, a NYC trumpet player who fronts his own jazz quintet to sell-out crowds at a local club. He's managed by Giant (played by Lee), an irresponsible compulsive gambler who is only Bleek's manager because they're childhood friends. Meanwhile, Bleek is seeing two different women (played by Joie Lee [Spike's real-life sister] and Cynda Williams), and is torn between his passion for music and his inability to control his relationships. Things go haywire when Bleek's sax player, Shadow (Wesley Snipes), vies for the affections of one of Bleek's women, promising her fortune and fame as a jazz singer since Bleek only cares about himself anyway.Giant's gambling problems, Bleek's convictions as a "serious" musician, and the tightrope one walks between love and professional dedication are themes all visited in this exciting, vibrant film. Besides the wonderful performances (by Washington, Snipes, and the always-underrated Lee standby Giancarlo Esposito, among others), Ernest Dicekrson's cinematography is stunning, and the music -- performed in real life by Branford Marsalis, who has a cameo in the film -- is dazzling. The way the "band" mimes the performances is thoroughlly convincing (although it must be noted that Bleek's drummer is played by Jeff "Tain" Watts, a real jazz drummer who actually performs on the tracks themselves).If you're a jazz lover and a lover of Spike Lee's movies, check this out -- you'll be glad you did.

Spike Lee, ya got this one right!

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!