Shirley
Da 5 Bloods
On the Record
I May Destroy You
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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.
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All Critics (34) | Top Critics (10) | Fresh (24) | Rotten (10)
Quote not available. September 7, 2011 | Rating: B- | Full Review…
Quote not available.
Owen Gleiberman
Personal rather than social issues come to the fore in Mo' Better Blues, a Spike Lee personality piece dressed in jazz trappings that puffs itself up like Bird but doesn't really fly. September 22, 2008 | Full Review…
Personal rather than social issues come to the fore in Mo' Better Blues, a Spike Lee personality piece dressed in jazz trappings that puffs itself up like Bird but doesn't really fly.
Variety Staff
Though it's full of striking visual ideas and actorly turns, it never fully convinces. September 22, 2008 | Full Review…
Though it's full of striking visual ideas and actorly turns, it never fully convinces.
Jonathan Rosenbaum
Despite stylish camerawork and sturdy acting, this lengthy indulgence succeeds neither as jazz movie nor as cautionary tale. February 9, 2006 | Full Review…
Despite stylish camerawork and sturdy acting, this lengthy indulgence succeeds neither as jazz movie nor as cautionary tale.
Geoff Andrew
Mo' Better Blues is not a great film, but it's an interesting one, which is almost as rare. October 23, 2004 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review…
Mo' Better Blues is not a great film, but it's an interesting one, which is almost as rare.
Roger Ebert
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?' May 20, 2003 | Rating: 2.5/5
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?'
Caryn James
We are left with a film that could have been about so many things but ultimately isn't about much. May 21, 2020 | Full Review…
We are left with a film that could have been about so many things but ultimately isn't about much.
Monica Dorenkamp
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 taste. August 7, 2010 | Rating: B+ | Full Review…
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 taste.
Brian Orndorf
It's tight, suspenseful, funny and packed with great music. September 22, 2008 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review…
It's tight, suspenseful, funny and packed with great music.
Charles Shaar Murray
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 musician. September 22, 2008 | Rating: 3.5/4 | Full Review…
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 musician.
Denzel, Wesley and Co are fine, but Mo' Better Blues hits too many bum notes. September 22, 2008 | Full Review…
Denzel, Wesley and Co are fine, but Mo' Better Blues hits too many bum notes.
Centering on the career of a jazz musician (well played by Denzel Washington, just before he became a star), this mid-range picture has nice production values but the drama is too diffuse, lacking the edge of Spike Lee's more overtly political works. June 24, 2008 | Rating: B- | Full Review…
Centering on the career of a jazz musician (well played by Denzel Washington, just before he became a star), this mid-range picture has nice production values but the drama is too diffuse, lacking the edge of Spike Lee's more overtly political works.
Emanuel Levy
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