Denzel Washington,
Spike Lee,
Wesley Snipes,
Joie Lee,
Cynda Williams
... see more 
Spike Lee's 1990 directing effort is a jazz film, the story of a fictional trumpeter named Bleek Gilliam (Denzel Washington). He leads a quintet at the Beneath the Underground club with a flashy saxop... read more
Directed by: Spike Lee
DVD Release Date: December 28, 2004
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Flixster Reviews (467)
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June 3, 2007what an incredible movie. i dont care for spike lee's themes of racial distinction in most of his films, and some of it that was present in this film were annoying, but this film was too brilliant not to love. it has quickly become one of my favorite movies of all time. i trie... read more
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September 27, 2008Middling effort from Spike Lee. It had some good scenes and it was well acted, shot etc. I just didn't really like Denzel's character and I think I kind of was supposed to. It also went on longer than the material required.
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May 23, 2012I have mixed feelings about this movie. You do have some solid acting and a good interpretation of what goes on in jazz bands with late nights, attitudes, and the way the play around with each other. So it provides a good foundation for an accurate jazz movie. However, the endin... read more
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November 30, 2011Re-watched this again for the first time in a few years. Still grimace at the awkward script and problematic character relations, but never get tired of the visual lushness and the fine music from Terence Blanchard and the Branford Marsalis Quartet.
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June 5, 2009Another Classic about 2 of my favorite pasttimes. Love & Music. This was definitely a great film that illustrates the prices of stardom and the priorities of L.O.V.E. "What the world needs now...is not another Love song."
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October 8, 2008What a great performance Spike Lee Brings out the best in Denzel Washington, and the supporting cast is great.
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August 29, 2007Bleek! I love this movie!! As a former trumpet player, I always appreciated this soundtrack and attempted to play Mo' Better Blues every chance I got. Great movie!!
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June 15, 2007It had elements of jazz,a nd I like jazz music. Denzel and Wesley Snipes were very good in leading roles. The ending blew me away I had to keep rewinding it, the sex scenes were off the hook.
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June 1, 2007Could have been great, but Spike Lee missed the mark. The movie comes off as yet another predictable Hollywood music biography.
Critic Reviews
September 22, 2008
Variety Staff, Variety
September 22, 2008
Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader
Though it's full of striking visual ideas and actorly turns, it never fully convinces. Full Review
October 23, 2004
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
Mo' Better Blues is not a great film, but it's an interesting one, which is almost as rare. Full Review
May 20, 2003
Caryn James, New York Times
From characters to camera angles, this story of a self-absorbed jazz trumpeter is one long cliche, the kind that might make his most loyal admirers wince and wonder, 'Spike, what happened?' Full Review
May 12, 2001
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone
For the only time in his remarkable career, Spike Lee has failed to tell it like it is.
January 1, 2000
Hal Hinson, Washington Post
If Lee was striving to convey a fuller sense of the jazz musician's life, of the connections between black life and black music, or a deeper, more soulful feeling for the music itself, his efforts fal... Full Review
January 1, 2000
Desson Thomson, Washington Post
Few will accuse Spike Lee's Mo' Better Blues of being a masterpiece. But it's still full of the things that make Spike Lee films, well, Spike Lee films. Full of the fun, full of the spirit. Full Review
August 7, 2010
Brian Orndorf, BrianOrndorf.com
It's a burning, feeling film of impulses, bringing out the best in the filmmaker, who used to create miniature moviegoing events with his releases, before He Got Game came along and smothered his good... Full Review
September 22, 2008
Charles Shaar Murray, Empire Magazine
It's tight, suspenseful, funny and packed with great music. Full Review
September 22, 2008
TV Guide's Movie Guide
Full of wonderful music, grand visuals, and melodramatic plot twists, the movie is laced with very funny moments, as well as interesting insights into the world of jazz and the plight of the dedicated... Full Review
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Mo' Better Blues
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