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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 (33) | Top Critics (10) | Fresh (24) | Rotten (9)
Quote not available. September 7, 2011 | Rating: B- | Full Review…
Quote not available.
Owen Gleiberman
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.
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
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.
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
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
Spike Lee's film is filled with promising ideas and moments of technical virtuosity. June 14, 2007 | Rating: 3/5
Spike Lee's film is filled with promising ideas and moments of technical virtuosity.
Douglas Pratt
Quote not available. March 13, 2006 | Rating: 4/5
Cole Smithey
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
Quote not available. March 8, 2005 | Rating: 4/5
Jonathan R. Perry
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