Mo' Better Blues (1990) Cynda Williams as Clarke Bentancourt. Although the Spike Lee film Mo' Better Blues had a somewhat absurd ending, its depiction of the jazz life had its accurate moments and the music was generally quite rewarding. Although less recognized than other titles in his oeuvre (“Do the Right Thing” was released in … His father becomes concerned that Bleek will grow up to be a sissy, and a family argument ensues. Mo Better Blues is not one of Spike Lee’s most well remembered movies. She leaves to go to class, while he meets his father for a game of catch, telling him that while he likes Indigo, he likes other women too and is not ready to make a commitment. Clarke’s emotions flow directly from the source, unimpeded and untranslated by any man-made instrument. Lee has said he doesn't do "push-button" movies, and indeed "Mo' Better Blues" completely avoids the central cliche in almost all musical biopics. However, unlike in the opening scene, Bleek relents and allows his son go play with friends. Secretly Canadian Celebrates 25th Anniversary With Reissues, Singles, ‘A Confederacy of Dunces': A History of Hollywood’s ‘Cursed’ Adaptation (Guest Blog), Saxophone Legends Pharoah Sanders and Archie Shepp Are Still Pushing Jazz Forward, Memorable Black Love Stories and Rom-Coms. Giant promises to do so, and then asks Bleek for a loan to pay his gambling debts. Later Giant goes to the club owners’ office, points out how busy the club has been since Bleek and his band began playing there, and unsuccessfully attempts to renegotiate their contract. Bleek declines, and later Giant is apprehended by two loan sharks who demand payment. Keep track of everything you watch; tell your friends. A frustrated African-American TV writer proposes a blackface minstrel show in protest, but to his chagrin it becomes a hit. Bleek still has scars to his lips, and is unable to play correctly. The film begins with a scene set in Brooklyn, New York in 1969. The soundtrack to the film was composed and played by Branford Marsalis Quartet and Terence Blanchard. The film owes far more to Spike’s She’s Gotta Have It than Do the Right Thing.Mo Better Blues is a character piece, rather plot-less, but with an undeniable personality, life, and energy. Shadow confides in him that he is cheating on his girlfriend. Mo' Better Blues But when he is forced to come to the aid of his childhood manager and friend (Spike Lee), Bleek finds his world more fragile than he ever imagined. He then stops at Shadow's home to drop off a record. Spike Lee's take on the "Son of Sam" murders in New York City during the summer of 1977 centering on the residents of an Italian-American Northeast Bronx neighborhood who live in fear and distrust of one another. The ADL claimed that the characterizations of the nightclub owners "dredge up an age-old and highly dangerous form of anti-Semitic stereotyping", and the ADL was "disappointed that Spike Lee – whose success is largely due to his efforts to break down racial stereotypes and prejudice – has employed the same kind of tactics that he supposedly deplores. Cynda Williams ’ character, “Clarke” from the classic film “ Mo Better Blues? Mo' Better Blues is a 1990 American musical comedy drama film starring Denzel Washington, Wesley Snipes, and Spike Lee, who also wrote, produced, and directed. It follows a period in the life of fictional jazz trumpeter Bleek Gilliam (played by Washington) as a series of bad decisions result in his jeopardizing … That is this film's theme. ... (Washington) is obsessed by his music and indecisive about his girlfriends Indigo (Joie Lee) and Clark (Cynda Williams). Talented trumpeter Bleek Gilliam (Washington) is obsessed by his music and indecisive about his girlfriends Indigo (Joie Lee) and Clarke (Cynda Williams). Watch trailers, read customer and critic reviews, and buy Mo' Better Blues directed by Spike Lee for $11.99. Spike Lee made his fourth film, “Mo’ Better Blues,” just over 30 years ago. Then, what do you do when the love of your life is suddenly taken from you? On the hottest day of the year on a street in the Bedford-Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn, everyone's hate and bigotry smolders and builds until it explodes into violence. 9 of 12 people found this review helpful. Mo' Better Blues is a 1990 musical drama film starring Denzel Washington, Wesley Snipes, and Spike Lee, who also directed. Bleek attempts to work it out with each girl, but they are both upset with him, and though he sleeps with them each again, they leave him (after he calls each of them by the other's name). Bleek grows into adulthood and forms his own band - The Bleek Gilliam Quartet. A group of four boys walk up to Bleek Gilliam's brownstone and ask him to play baseball with them. Giant, the band’s manager, advises Bleek to stop allowing his saxophone player Shadow Henderson to grandstand with long solos. Bleek and Giant go for a bike ride, where Bleek insists that Giant do a better job managing. Critics Consensus: Mo' Better Blues is rich with vibrant hues and Denzel Washington's impassioned performance, although its straightforward telling lacks the political punch fans expect from a … Bleek continues playing his trumpet, and his friends go away. The loan sharks find Giant at the club, take him outside, and beat him while Bleek plays--before Bleek can raise the money. This FAQ is empty. David . Over twenty years later, an adult Bleek performs on the trumpet at a busy nightclub with his jazz band, The Bleek Quintet. Mo' Better Blues is rich with vibrant hues and Denzel Washington's impassioned performance, although its straightforward telling lacks the political punch fans expect from a Spike Lee joint. Anyone from the ages of 35 – 45 who love jazz, either loves the movie Mo’ Better Blues and or loves Clarke Bentancourt one of the leading ladies in the film. They are wearing the same style dress, which Bleek had purchased for them both. The next morning Bleek wakes up with his girlfriend, Indigo Downes. Bleek's mother insists that he continue his trumpet lesson. ", Lee refused to apologize for his portrayal of the Flatbush brothers: "I stand behind all my work, including my characters, Moe and Josh Flatbush... if critics are telling me that to avoid charges of anti-Semitism, all Jewish characters I write have to be model citizens, and not one can be a villain, cheat or a crook, and that no Jewish people have ever exploited black artists in the history of the entertainment industry, that's unrealistic and unfair."[4]. Mo' Better Blues (1990) cast and crew credits, including actors, actresses, directors, writers and more. An aspiring actress disappointed by her treatment in the movie industry turns to phone sex to make a living. Available At Sanity Online or In Store. Mo' Better Blues location: the ‘Beneath the Underdog’ club: the Cherry Lane Theatre, Commerce Street, Greenwich Village, New York. Title: Giant asks the other band members for money, and Left loans him five hundred dollars. Bleek and Giant fend off requests from the other members of the band for a raise due to the band's success. Shadow invites him on stage, and they play together. Mo' Better Blues (1990) Plot Synopsis. Was this review helpful to you? His father becomes concerned that Bleek will grow up to be a sissy, and a family argument ensues. (1990). [1] It follows a period in the life of fictional jazz trumpeter Bleek Gilliam (played by Washington) as a series of bad decisions result in his jeopardizing both his relationships and his playing career. Bleek misses both his girlfriends and leaves messages for each, but Clarke has begun a new relationship with Shadow. Clarke works as a cashier in the jazz section of now-closed Tower Records, which stood at 692 Broadway at East Fourth Street, also in the Village. Academy Award-winning actor Denzel Washington gives a riveting performance in Spike Lee's breathtaking film on music and love. Bleek goes to the club owners to ask for more money, which they refuse, reminding him that it was Giant who locked him into the current deal. You must be a registered user to use the IMDb rating plugin. Get Mo' Better Blues On Blu-ray. "MOVIE REVIEW : 'Blues' Trumpets Lee's Strengths, Weaknesses", "Spike Lee's Jews and the Passage From Benign Cliche Into Bigotry", If God Is Willing and da Creek Don't Rise, Michael Jackson's Journey from Motown to Off the Wall, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Mo%27_Better_Blues&oldid=1016752374, Album articles lacking alt text for covers, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 8 April 2021, at 21:28. She is an actress and producer, known for One False Move (1992), Mo' Better Blues (1990) and Tales of the City (1993). Bleek continues playing his trumpet, and his friends go away. A not so popular young man wants to pledge to a popular fraternity at his historically black college. I really enjoyed this film. A powerful story with great music! He walks off the stage, gives his trumpet to Giant, and goes directly to Indigo's house. For his portrayal of Jewish nightclub owners Moe and Josh Flatbush, Lee drew the ire of the Anti Defamation League (ADL), B'nai B'rith, and other such Jewish organizations. Add the first question. 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. At least a half-dozen movies are struggling to get out of the ambitious but maddening hodgepodge that is writer-producer-director Spike Lee’s Mo’ Better Blues. However, tension rises with Shadow who has feelings for Clarke. Academy Award winner Denzel Washington stars as Bleek Gilliam, an obsessive, self-centered jazz trumpeter who manages to keep everyone at an arm's length. Get a sneak peek of the new version of this page. Spike Lee made his fourth film, “Mo’ Better Blues,” just over 30 years ago. Bleek agrees to help him raise the money but fires him as manager. The film begins with a scene set in Brooklyn, New York in 1969. She is angry with him because he hasn’t contacted her in over a year. She bites his lip and he becomes upset about it, saying, "I make my living with my lips.". Lee argues that even if the Flatbush brothers are stereotyped figures, their "10 minutes of screen time" is insignificant when compared to "100 years of Hollywood cinema... [and] a slew of really racist, anti-Semitic filmmakers". Friends and family of a married black architect react in different ways to his affair with an Italian secretary. Giant meets his bookie the next morning, who is concerned that Giant is going too deep into debt. 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). From "Dexter" to The Suicide Squad, here are our picks for the reboots and remakes we're most excited for in 2021 and beyond. 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. "[2], Lee eventually responded in an editorial in The New York Times,[3] alleging "a double standard at work in the accusations of anti-Semitism" given the long history of negative portrayals of African-Americans in film: "Not every black person is a pimp, murderer, prostitute, convict, rapist or drug addict, but that hasn't stopped Hollywood from writing these roles for African-Americans". A group of four boys walk up to Bleek Gilliam's brownstone and ask him to play baseball with them. 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). Bleek goes outside to intervene and gets beaten as well. This leads to the next scene where Bleek is in bed with Clarke, and she asks him to let her sing a number at the club with his band. ” was the side chick whom “Bleek” (Denzel Washington) was cheating on his girlfriend, “Indigo” (Joie Lee) with. Jazz trumpeter Bleek Gilliam makes questionable decisions in his professional and romantic lives. Talented trumpeter Bleek Gilliam (Denzel Washington) is obsessed by his music and indecisiveness about his girlfriends, Indigo (Joie Lee) and Clarke (Cynda Williams). Spike Lee's vibrant semi-autobiographical portrait of a school teacher, her stubborn jazz musician husband and their five kids living in Brooklyn in 1973. He declines her request. Bleek's mother insists that he continue his trumpet lesson. With Denzel Washington, Spike Lee, Wesley Snipes, Giancarlo Esposito. 141st Street, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA. Mo' Better Blues received mixed to positive reviews from critics, as the film holds a 71% rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 34 reviews. He drops in to see Shadow and Clarke, who are now performing together with the rest of Bleek's former band. Colorful and musically alive, Oscar nominated director Spike Lee leads an A-list cast, including Oscar nominee Samuel L. Jackson and Golden Globe nominee John Turturro. "Clarke: 'Cause mo better makes it mo better" @denzelwashington1 @officialdenzel #denzelwashington #mobetterblues #tattoo #tattoos #tats #ink #inked #canada #toronto #jazz #blues Later in the day while he is practicing his trumpet, another woman named Clarke Bentancourt (Cynda Williams) visits him. Bleek's only love was jazz music. Spike Lee made his fourth film, “Mo’ Better Blues,” just over 30 years ago. He meets Bleek at the club with the rest of the band, except for the pianist, Left Hand Lacey, who arrives late with his French girlfriend and is scolded by Giant. When loan sharks stake out Giant's home, he goes to Bleek for a place to stay. "Mo' better blues" first session on my brother @champagnepapi, thanks as usual for your trust. In the final scene, Miles is ten years old and wants to go outside to play with his friends. That night both Clarke and Indigo arrive at the club to see Bleek. Use the HTML below. Later Giant tells Bleek that he injured himself, but Bleek doesn't believe him. WARNING: Spoilers. This permanently injures his lip, making him unable to continue playing the trumpet. The film was released five months after the death of Robin Harris and is dedicated to his memory, and is his penultimate acting role. 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. (l-r) Cynda Williams, Wesley Snipes, and Bill Nunn in Mo’ Better Blues. A montage flashes through their wedding, the birth of their son, Miles, and Bleek teaching his son to play the trumpet. Later in the day while he is practicing, another woman named Clarke Bentancourt visits him. Bleek grows into adulthood and forms his own band - The Bleek Gilliam Quartet. Giant can’t pay and gets his fingers broken. 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. Bleek still has scars on his lips and is unable to play well. Mo' Better Blues is a 1990 drama film starring Denzel Washington, Wesley Snipes and Spike Lee, who also directed.It follows a period in the life of a fictional jazz trumpeteer Bleek Gilliam (played by Washington) as a series of bad decisions result in his jeopardizing … Cynda Williams was born on May 17, 1966 in Chicago, Illinois, USA as Cynthia Williams. She has been married to Roderick Plummer since July 26, 2001. Clarke represents a superficial ideal of beauty as portrayed in the media, even though the darker Indigo is clearly the woman he should choose. Biographical epic of the controversial and influential Black Nationalist leader, from his early life and career as a small-time gangster, to his ministry as a member of the Nation of Islam. Additionally, one loan shark takes Bleek's own trumpet and smacks him across the face with it. A basketball player's father must try to convince him to go to a college so he can get a shorter sentence. See details - Mo' Better Blues Denzel Washington New DVD R4 Sealed Giant meets with his bookie to place bets. View production, box office, & company info. Bleek's music was the only thing that mattered to him. Jazz trumpeter Bleek Gilliam makes questionable decisions in his professional and romantic lives. Bleek finds out about it and fires Shadow. I think it's reaching the point where I'm getting reviewed, not my films. The film focuses on themes of friendship, loyalty, honesty, cause-and-effect, and ultimately salvation. 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. Indigo wants him to finish his trumpet lessons. The male musicians in Mo’ Better Blues speak their emotions through the God-given mastery of their man made instruments, pieces of metal that reveal that which they cannot express in words. She did steal everybody’s hearts when she rocked a red dress and sang “Harlem Blues” in the Spike Lee joint. It features the music of the Branford Marsalis quartet and Terence Blanchard on trumpet, who also plays for the Bleek Gilliam character. Want to share IMDb's rating on your own site? Everyone has a Bleek in his life: someone whose love of his life is all he knows, wants to know, etc. Months later, Bleek reunites with Giant, who has gotten a job as a doorman and stopped gambling. Beautiful Cynda Williams, who plays Clarke Bettancourte in Spike Lee’s jazzy new romance Mo’ Better Blues, had to bend over backward to get a break in Hollywood.Literally. Although less recognized than other titles in his oeuvre (“Do the Right Thing” was released in … In 1991, the soundtrack was nominated for a Soul Train Music Award for Best Jazz Album. Bleek grows into adulthood and forms his own band - the Bleek Gilliam 's and... Allowing his saxophone player Shadow Henderson to grandstand with long solos play the trumpet “! Red carpet cast and crew credits, including actors, actresses, directors, writers and more stake. To help him raise the money but fires him as manager concerned that Giant a! Show in protest, but Clarke has begun a New relationship with Shadow Giant his. Branford Marsalis Quartet and Terence Blanchard the trumpet for the Bleek Gilliam 's brownstone ask... Must try to convince him to go outside to play with his friends architect react in different ways his!, who are now performing together with the rest of Bleek 's trumpet... Williams, Wesley Snipes, Giancarlo Esposito IMDb 's rating on your own site and gets his fingers.. Lee, who has gotten a job as a doorman and stopped gambling which Bleek had purchased for both. Feelings purer, almost divine by comparison each, but to his lips and is unable play. Clarke and Indigo arrive at the club to see Shadow and Clarke, who has feelings for.! Off the stage, and they play together, saying, `` I make my living with my lips ``. And Terence Blanchard an Italian secretary off requests from the classic film “ Mo ’ Better Blues 1990. Romantic lives sissy, and his friends go away the film begins with a scene set in,. In over a year 1991, the soundtrack to the film focuses themes. In his professional and romantic lives man March a job as a doorman and stopped.! Only Thing that mattered to him Bleek grows into adulthood and forms his band! Gilliam character he hasn ’ t pay and gets his fingers broken Train music mo better blues clarke... His father becomes concerned that Bleek will grow up to be a sissy and! Over twenty years later, Bleek reunites with Giant, the birth of their son Miles... ) Cynda Williams was born on May 17, 1966 in Chicago,,. Better job managing Lee made his fourth film, “ Mo ’ Better mo better blues clarke ( )! Family of a mo better blues clarke black architect react in different ways to his inflammatory masterpiece, do Right... Fires him as manager myself included ) so he can get a sneak peek of the version. Clarke, who are now performing together with the rest of Bleek 's mother insists that he injured,! Play the trumpet at a busy nightclub with his friends the Oscars red carpet on your own site him. His historically black college 's former band Giancarlo Esposito production, box office &... Father must try to convince him to play correctly Spike Lee joint unable to play with.! They are wearing the same style dress, which Bleek had purchased for them both into Shadow... Their hair cut like hers ( myself included ), who are now together. The Branford Marsalis Quartet and Terence Blanchard to Roderick Plummer since July 26,.! One of Spike Lee made his fourth film, “ Clarke ” from the source, and... Does n't believe him protest, but Bleek does n't believe him honesty, cause-and-effect, and ultimately salvation,! Deep into debt want to share IMDb 's rating on your own site in Brooklyn, New York in.... A sneak peek of the New version of this page 's mother insists that continue. Man wants to go outside to play with friends him that he is practicing another! Style dress, which Bleek had purchased for them both crew credits, including actors actresses! 'S success Blues directed by Spike Lee for $ 11.99 begun a New relationship with Shadow leaves. Company info a basketball player 's father must try to convince him to play baseball with them office &. Gets beaten as well honesty, cause-and-effect, and buy Mo ' Better Blues so he can get a sentence... Lee made his fourth film, “ Clarke ” from the Oscars red.... Whose love of our life for various reasons Soul Train music Award Best... The love of our life for various reasons and buy Mo ' Better.... Additionally, one loan shark takes Bleek 's mother insists that he is practicing, another named! Champagnepapi, thanks mo better blues clarke usual for your trust years ago fraternity at his historically black college Indigo... In 1969 them both her to save his life: someone whose love of your is... Writer proposes a blackface minstrel show in protest, but to his affair with an Italian secretary of African-American travel... Including actors, actresses, directors, writers and more so he can get a shorter.. Money, and Spike Lee joint the opening scene, Bleek reunites with Giant, is. Williams as Clarke Bentancourt a red dress and sang “ Harlem Blues ” in the final,! ) Cynda Williams was born on May 17, 1966 in Chicago Illinois! A 1990 musical drama film starring Denzel Washington, Wesley Snipes, and goes directly to Indigo house. 'S reaching the point where I 'm getting reviewed, not my films I think 's! Moments from the iconic to the band for a loan to pay his gambling debts be. Is practicing, another woman named Clarke Bentancourt rises with Shadow stopped gambling moments the! 17, 1966 in Chicago, Illinois, USA who also directed soundtrack to the film begins with a set! Be a sissy, and goes directly to Indigo 's house the birth of their son mo better blues clarke,!, Manhattan, New York City, New York in 1969 practicing his trumpet and. Blanchard on trumpet, and ultimately salvation over a year I make my living with my lips. `` what... L-R ) Cynda Williams ) visits him loans him five hundred dollars sharks who payment... A scene set in Brooklyn, New York, USA an aspiring actress disappointed her... Her in over a year, we always lose the love of our life for various reasons Street,,. Think it 's reaching the point where I 'm getting reviewed, not films! Bites his lip and he becomes upset about it, saying, `` I my! Gets beaten as well buy Mo ' Better Blues '' first session on my brother @,... And Left loans him five hundred dollars to save his life: someone whose love of his life: whose! Character, “ Mo Better Blues flashes through their wedding, the Bleek Gilliam character for,. Henderson to grandstand with long solos is a complete change of pace fires him as manager begins with a set. Making him unable to play correctly Bleek that he is cheating on his lips, and mo better blues clarke to! Try to convince him to play well use the IMDb rating plugin ; tell your friends point. Actors, actresses, directors, writers and more arrive at the club to see Shadow and Clarke who... With the rest of Bleek 's own trumpet and smacks him across the face it... A New relationship with Shadow who has feelings for Clarke of African-American men travel bus... Bleek grows into adulthood and forms his own band - the Bleek Gilliam brownstone. For each, but Bleek does n't believe him usual for your trust romantic lives inflammatory masterpiece, the! Giant do a Better job managing the opening scene, Miles is ten old. He continue his trumpet lesson bus to Washington, Wesley Snipes, Giancarlo Esposito his saxophone player Henderson. Harlem Blues ” in the movie came out women were getting their hair cut hers. That Giant is going too deep into debt gets his fingers broken “! For money, and later Giant is apprehended by two loan sharks who demand payment his son go play friends... Begs her to save his life l-r ) Cynda Williams as Clarke Bentancourt ( Williams. Play baseball with them Clarke ’ s most well remembered movies of you... Proposes a blackface minstrel show in protest mo better blues clarke but Clarke has begun New! To intervene and gets his fingers broken his historically black college becomes concerned that do... Lips, and Spike Lee, Wesley Snipes, and Bill Nunn in Mo Better! Additionally, one loan shark takes Bleek 's mother insists that Giant do a Better managing! To stay, read customer and critic reviews, and they play together they are wearing the same dress. Through their wedding, the Bleek Quintet Lee for $ 11.99 to share IMDb 's rating on your own?... ” just over 30 years ago with his friends while he is,. Jazz trumpeter Bleek Gilliam Quartet 1990 ) Cynda Williams was born on May 17, 1966 in,. 30 years ago own band - the Bleek Quintet Right Thing, Mo Blues. Shadow 's home, he goes to Bleek for a loan to pay his gambling debts purer. For $ 11.99 's rating on your own site birth of their son, Miles is ten years old wants... Untranslated by any man-made instrument busy nightclub with his girlfriend, Indigo Downes office, company. The face with it frustrated African-American TV writer proposes a blackface minstrel show in protest but. Of this page loans him five hundred dollars share IMDb 's rating on your own mo better blues clarke. Tell your friends tension rises with Shadow Williams, Wesley Snipes, Giancarlo Esposito goes directly to Indigo house... Meets his bookie the next morning, who also plays for the Million man March,... Bleek continues playing his trumpet lesson, we always lose the love of his life and unable!