Mo' Better Blues

1990, Drama, 2h 7m

35 Reviews 5,000+ Ratings

What to know

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 Spike Lee joint. Read critic reviews

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Mo' Better Blues Videos

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Movie Info

Financially irresponsible Giant (Spike Lee) manages a jazz group, but his sax player, Shadow (Wesley Snipes), wants to replace him with a better businessman. Bleak (Denzel Washington), the band's trumpeter, then tries to defend his close pal Giant, leading to a power struggle between the two musicians. Meanwhile, as Bleak tries to straighten things out with his band mates and manager, he also must choose to be with either sweet teacher Indigo (Joie Lee) or sultry singer Clarke (Cynda Williams).
  • Rating:
    R
  • Genre:
    Drama
  • Original Language:
    English
  • Director:
    Spike Lee
  • Producer:
    Spike Lee
  • Writer:
    Spike Lee
  • Release Date (Theaters):
     wide
  • Release Date (Streaming):
  • Box Office (Gross USA):
    $15.9M
  • Runtime:
  • Distributor:
    Universal Pictures
  • Sound Mix:
    Dolby, Surround

Cast & Crew

Denzel Washington
Denzel Washington
Bleek Gilliam
Spike Lee
Spike Lee
Giant
Wesley Snipes
Wesley Snipes
Shadow Henderson (Sax)
Joie Lee
Joie Lee
Indigo Downes
Cynda Williams
Cynda Williams
Clarke Bentancourt
Giancarlo Esposito
Giancarlo Esposito
Left Hand Lacey (Piano)
Robin Harris
Robin Harris
Butterbean Jones
Bill Nunn
Bill Nunn
Bottom Hammer (Bass)
Dick Anthony Williams
Dick Anthony Williams
Big Stop Williams
John Turturro
John Turturro
Moe Flatbush
Rubén Blades
Rubén Blades
Petey
Jeff "Tain" Watts
Jeff "Tain" Watts
Rhythm Jones (Drums)
Nicholas Turturro
Nicholas Turturro
Josh Flatbush
Abbey Lincoln
Abbey Lincoln
Lillian Gilliam
Linda Hawkins
Linda Hawkins
Jeanne
Zakee L. Howze
Zakee L. Howze
Young Bleek , Miles
Bill Lee
Bill Lee
Father of the Bride
Branford Marsalis
Branford Marsalis
Party Guest
Spike Lee
Spike Lee
Director
Spike Lee
Spike Lee
Writer
Jon Kilik
Jon Kilik
Line Producer
Spike Lee
Spike Lee
Producer
Monty Ross
Monty Ross
Co-Producer
Ernest R. Dickerson
Ernest R. Dickerson
Cinematographer
Samuel D. Pollard
Samuel D. Pollard
Film Editor
Robi Reed
Robi Reed
Casting
Wynn Thomas
Wynn Thomas
Production Design
Ted Glass
Ted Glass
Set Decoration
Ruth E. Carter
Ruth E. Carter
Costume Design
Matiki Anoff
Matiki Anoff
Makeup Artist
Preston L. Holmes
Preston L. Holmes
Production Supervisor
Brent Owens
Brent Owens
Unit Manager
H.H. Cooper
H.H. Cooper
Second Assistant Director
Randy Fletcher
Randy Fletcher
First Assistant Director
Dale Pierce-Johnson
Dale Pierce-Johnson
Second Assistant Director
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News & Interviews for Mo' Better Blues

Definitive Jazz Movies
Definitive Jazz Movies
Trailer Bulletin: School for Scoundrels
Trailer Bulletin: School for Scoundrels
Spike & Denzel to Team Up for a Fourth Flick
Spike & Denzel to Team Up for a Fourth Flick
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Critic Reviews for Mo' Better Blues

All Critics (35) | Top Critics (10) | Fresh (25) | Rotten (10)
Full Review… Owen Gleiberman Entertainment Weekly Full Review… Charles Shaar Murray Empire Magazine Full Review… Variety Staff Variety Full Review… Jonathan Rosenbaum Chicago Reader Full Review… Geoff Andrew Time Out Full Review… Roger Ebert Chicago Sun-Times Full Review… Rene Jordan El Nuevo Herald (Miami) Full Review… Rob Gonsalves Rob's Movie Vault Full Review… Monica Dorenkamp OutWeek Full Review… Brian Orndorf BrianOrndorf.com Full Review… Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com Full Review… Douglas Pratt DVDLaser
View All Critic Reviews (35)

Audience Reviews for Mo' Better Blues

  • Jan 27, 2012
    Benefits from the fact that this is Spike Lee's debut and doesn't feature the preachiness that brings down his later efforts.
    John B Super Reviewer
  • Sep 27, 2008
    Middling 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.
    Super Reviewer
  • May 29, 2008
    i love this movie denzel as player a must see
    Super Reviewer
  • Dec 27, 2007
    Plenty of style and energy, but not enough soul.
    Super Reviewer
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