Round Midnight changed my life. I learned how to play the saxophone because of this movie and hearing the music of Dexter Gordon helped me stick with the saxophone. I saw myself on the screen and believed one day be like Dale Turner… flaws and all 😅. If you haven’t seen this movie, do yourself a favor AND WATCH IT!
Indeed I have seen so many movies and Tavernier remains one of the best film directors of the XXth century. He makes movies which tell you a story that reaches you inside and remain there for years on. I am a big fan of almost all is movies. I have last week that this movie was the best movie about jazz still in 2020 as it is clear that Tavernier loves jazz.
This movie is based on jazz pianist Bud Powell's life in Paris from 1959-64. Bud moved back to New York in late 1964 to raise money for hospital bills that he incurred in France. Unfortunately he backslide into a alcoholic in New York, and lost virtually all of his piano skills within one year. He died in 1966.
@@SamuelRivera_DAMN Yes, but I believe that Dexter spent most of his years in Europe living in Amsterdam. I haven't read his biography yet by his widow.
I hadn't realized that they BOTH loved the film...hmmm When I went to see it the second time, about a year after it's debut, I noticed a couple of people walked out after only a few minutes.
Among other reasons, because inherent to jazz and its artists is grit. True admirers of jazz (audience members) have it by life experience; others begin to gain an appreciation of it in the listening. Also, the character is akin to a puppy dog; that's not exactly a strong point in a film as exemplary as this, and relative to its content and the other characters. A relatively young character's naivete is one thing, but isn't necessarily the same as 'wimpy' idolatry. As a result, the character, as portrayed/directed, is not particularly credible -- when everything else in the film is. (His scenes with his daughter, however, are lovely.)
@@ishmyl99 We'll have to agree to disagree. In my experience, "true admirers" of jazz come in all types and with all manner of life experiences. I'm unclear when you say, "others begin to gain an appreciation of it in the listening", whether your implication is that these "others" are not "true admirers" or that the French character does not fit into either category - and if so, why you would think that. And I don't find his "'wimpy' idolatry" incredible. Uncommon, maybe, but not implausible. Would I have enjoyed the movie more if he were a harder-edged character? I don't know; I just accepted him for what he was and the story for what it was.
I thought he was the most interesting one as this single dad who's life basically was about being inspired by jazz. He thinks of himself as a nobody despite the fact he's got the greatest thing of all in life, a fantastic daughter.
@@ishmyl99 That's really stupid. Jazz musicians and admirers build some character, but I wouldn't say on the whole they are that tough. The folks are varied so some have toughness or grit, but most don't really. Look at Pasqualle Grasso. He's a little 30 something gay kid. You think that's grit? Or look at Herbie Hancock literally in the film acting flamboyantly. You think that's grit? The dude Francis is a Frenchy, he's supposed to be a little soft lol. I thought the friendship and story was very believable even if the wimpiness was kind of funny. Lastly, the character Francis served in WW2. I know it's fiction, but you can be as soft as you fuckin want interpersonally if you served in WW2.
I gave this movie three chances. I think it is one of the most dreadful, boring films I have ever seen. Ridiculously overrated, and Hancock did not deserve the Oscar for score over Ennio Morricone's haunting music in "The Mission."
I love dexter gordon and listen to him regularly and play some sax myself, as well as go to jazz shows in local clubs. I’ve seen Herbie Hancock twice as well. And this show bored me silly. I couldn’t finish it. You want to watch good jazz, rent Jazz-the Ken Burns documentary. I’m with you on this. It’s a snooze fest.
@@spb7883 I’ve read that the endless parade of talking heads, notably jazz critics, was off-putting. That’s all I remember. It’s been so long now. For a jazz fan and (very) novice played like me, it was ideal. Also I could introduce my wife to jazz and it helped her appreciate the genre so much more. She bought me tickets to Sadao Watanabe and Dave Grusin because of this. So I’m happy with it.
@@shizuokaBLUES If one is interested in the history of jazz from approximately 1915 to 1970 as told through the biased lens of Wynton Marsalis, it’s great...
Round Midnight changed my life. I learned how to play the saxophone because of this movie and hearing the music of Dexter Gordon helped me stick with the saxophone. I saw myself on the screen and believed one day be like Dale Turner… flaws and all 😅.
If you haven’t seen this movie, do yourself a favor AND WATCH IT!
Lol! I'm like that too and kind of want to be like Dale. Self destructive, on drugs, and wrapped up in a dream in the music. 😅
The great musician who has an addiction problem has now become almost the stock movie biopic film for this genera.
This is one of the best movies ever. Seen it 4 times and it's not enough. The reality,, beauty and tragedy of jazz.
What a special and beloved movie, with a soundtrack that was really one of the best albums of the 1980s.
Indeed I have seen so many movies and Tavernier remains one of the best film directors of the XXth century. He makes movies which tell you a story that reaches you inside and remain there for years on. I am a big fan of almost all is movies. I have last week that this movie was the best movie about jazz still in 2020 as it is clear that Tavernier loves jazz.
This movie absolutely drips with atmosphere. If you love music you have to see this. Love of jazz is not a requirement
Herbie Hancock won the Oscar for the score on this film.
If you enjoy jazz I highly recommend this film. Maybe the best jazz movie ever made.
This appears to be one of those movies I've never heard of but would probably like if I ever had a chance to see it...
it's been released on dvd forever - great film, and Dexter kills it!
So see it. Hope you have by now.
Saw this opening day in Westwood it was great.
Great film saw it a second time on a double bill with jazz on a summer’s day.
Thank you for posting.
Very cool review. Very long time since I've seen this movie, maybe I need to cozy up and see it again.
This is a good movie.
This movie is based on jazz pianist Bud Powell's life in Paris from 1959-64. Bud moved back to New York in late 1964 to raise money for hospital bills that he incurred in France. Unfortunately he backslide into a alcoholic in New York, and lost virtually all of his piano skills within one year. He died in 1966.
Dexter also moved to Paris in the late 60s
@@SamuelRivera_DAMN Yes, but I believe that Dexter spent most of his years in Europe living in Amsterdam. I haven't read his biography yet by his widow.
The Blue Note? Hey, that's the same bar in Naked Gun 2.5!
And the best jazz label of the 60’s
Yeah, the one with the middle-aged, bottomless waiters.
I hadn't realized that they BOTH loved the film...hmmm
When I went to see it the second time, about a year after it's debut, I noticed a couple of people walked out after only a few minutes.
I guess they weren't jazz fans.
@Derby14 Ditto, now I finally get that the classic Simpsons episode "Round Springfield" is a parody of this film.
"The French character is a little soft" - huh? Why shouldn't he be "a little soft"?
Among other reasons, because inherent to jazz and its artists is grit. True admirers of jazz (audience members) have it by life experience; others begin to gain an appreciation of it in the listening. Also, the character is akin to a puppy dog; that's not exactly a strong point in a film as exemplary as this, and relative to its content and the other characters. A relatively young character's naivete is one thing, but isn't necessarily the same as 'wimpy' idolatry. As a result, the character, as portrayed/directed, is not particularly credible -- when everything else in the film is. (His scenes with his daughter, however, are lovely.)
@@ishmyl99 We'll have to agree to disagree. In my experience, "true admirers" of jazz come in all types and with all manner of life experiences. I'm unclear when you say, "others begin to gain an appreciation of it in the listening", whether your implication is that these "others" are not "true admirers" or that the French character does not fit into either category - and if so, why you would think that. And I don't find his "'wimpy' idolatry" incredible. Uncommon, maybe, but not implausible. Would I have enjoyed the movie more if he were a harder-edged character? I don't know; I just accepted him for what he was and the story for what it was.
I thought he was the most interesting one as this single dad who's life basically was about being inspired by jazz. He thinks of himself as a nobody despite the fact he's got the greatest thing of all in life, a fantastic daughter.
@@ishmyl99 That's really stupid. Jazz musicians and admirers build some character, but I wouldn't say on the whole they are that tough. The folks are varied so some have toughness or grit, but most don't really. Look at Pasqualle Grasso. He's a little 30 something gay kid. You think that's grit? Or look at Herbie Hancock literally in the film acting flamboyantly. You think that's grit? The dude Francis is a Frenchy, he's supposed to be a little soft lol. I thought the friendship and story was very believable even if the wimpiness was kind of funny. Lastly, the character Francis served in WW2. I know it's fiction, but you can be as soft as you fuckin want interpersonally if you served in WW2.
@@clintjones9848You might want to 'jazz' up your reading comprehension level. It's rock bottom.
I thought it was good but not great. Well made but so slow. Maybe you have to like jazz to really understand the film?
yes - for us jazz lovers, it was wrenchingly powerful. It’s slow, as if the Dexter character’s life is ebbing out.
Horrible damned film. Sweet Jesus. Even the best get it wrong sometimes.
I gave this movie three chances. I think it is one of the most dreadful, boring films I have ever seen. Ridiculously overrated, and Hancock did not deserve the Oscar for score over Ennio Morricone's haunting music in "The Mission."
Cry bitch, cry
I love dexter gordon and listen to him regularly and play some sax myself, as well as go to jazz shows in local clubs. I’ve seen Herbie Hancock twice as well. And this show bored me silly. I couldn’t finish it.
You want to watch good jazz, rent Jazz-the Ken Burns documentary.
I’m with you on this. It’s a snooze fest.
@@shizuokaBLUES I assume you’re unfamiliar with how controversial Burns’ doc is within the jazz community.
@@spb7883 I’ve read that the endless parade of talking heads, notably jazz critics, was off-putting. That’s all I remember. It’s been so long now. For a jazz fan and (very) novice played like me, it was ideal. Also I could introduce my wife to jazz and it helped her appreciate the genre so much more. She bought me tickets to Sadao Watanabe and Dave Grusin because of this. So I’m happy with it.
@@shizuokaBLUES If one is interested in the history of jazz from approximately 1915 to 1970 as told through the biased lens of Wynton Marsalis, it’s great...
This is a good movie.