'Round Midnight

1986

'Round Midnight

Critics Consensus

No consensus yet.

100%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 20

89%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 2,674

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'Round Midnight Photos

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Movie Info

A French music lover befriends a once-great American jazz artist and attempts to save him from self-destruction in this moody drama. Saxophonist Dexter Gordon portrays Dale Turner, a fictional musician inspired by a number of famed jazz figures, including Bud Powell and Lester Young. Largely forgotten in his home country, Turner has moved to Paris in search of a more appreciative audience. He finds it in the form of Francis Borler (Francois Cluzet), a bebop aficionado who befriends the expatriate player. Borler soon becomes familiar with Turner's darker side, including his struggles with alcoholism, drug addiction, and depression. Fearing for the musician's life, the fan becomes his caretaker, an arrangement that leads to a brief improvement in Turner's health and fortunes but places great emotional strain upon them both. Director Bertrand Tavernier pays great attention to the visual and aural details of the jazz world, with outstanding musical supervision provided by Herbie Hancock. 'Round Midnight's greatest asset, however, is Gordon's Academy Award-nominated performance, informed by his own life experiences. His naturally fascinating presence combines with the film's obvious love of the music and its milieu to provide what many have hailed as one of the more authentic and affectionate presentations of the jazz world on the silver screen. ~ Judd Blaise, Rovi
  • Rating:
    R (adult situations/language)
  • Genre:
    Drama, Musical & Performing Arts
  • Directed By:
    Bertrand Tavernier
  • Written By:
    David Rayfiel, Bertrand Tavernier
  • In Theaters:
     wide
  • On Disc/Streaming:
  • Runtime:
  • Studio:
    Warner Home Video

Cast

Dexter Gordon
as Dale Turner
François Cluzet
as Francis Borler
Gabrielle Haker
as Berangere
Sandra Reaves-Phillips
as Buttercup
Lonette McKee
as Darcey Leigh
Christine Pascal
as Sylvie
Herbie Hancock
as Eddie Wayne
Bobby Hutcherson
as Ace
Pierre Trabaud
as Francis's Father
Frédérique Méninger
as Francis's Mother
Liliane Rovère
as Mme. Queen
Hart Leroy Bibbs
as Hershell
Ron Carter
as Himself (Bass)
Ged Marlon
as Beau
Billy Higgins
as Drums
Benoit Regent
as Psychiatrist
Victoria Gabrielle Platt
as Chan
Arthur French
as Booker
John Berry
as Ben
Martin Scorsese
as Goodley
Philippe Noiret
as Redon
Alain Sarde
as Terzian
Eddy Mitchell
as A Drunk
Wayne Shorter
as Saxophonist
Cedar Walton
as Pianist
Charles Belonzi
Marpessa Djian
Patrick Massieu
Jacques Poitrenaud
Jimmy Slyde
Pascale Vignal
Arnaud Chevrier
Guy Louret
Philippe Moreau
Luc Sarot
Davout Studio
Pascal Tedes
Noel Simsolo
Cheikh Fall
as Percussion
John McLaughlin
as Guitar
Tony Williams
as Drums
Billy Higgins
as Drums
Palle Mikkelborg
as Trumpet
Freddie Hubbard
as Trumpet
Eric Le Lann
as Trumpet
Michel Perez
as Guitar
John C. McLaughlin
as Guitar
Mads Vinding
as Bass
Pierre Michelot
as Bass
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News & Interviews for 'Round Midnight

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Critic Reviews for 'Round Midnight

All Critics (20) | Top Critics (8) | Fresh (20)

  • Watching Dale and Francis grow close is a subdued experience that evolves in quiet ways.

    December 12, 2018 | Full Review…

    Mark Chalon Smith

    Los Angeles Times
    Top Critic

  • Round Midnight is a superbly crafted music world drama in which Gallic director Bertrand Tavernier pays a moving dramatic tribute to the great black musicians who lived and performed in Paris in the late 1950s.

    April 8, 2008 | Full Review…

    Variety Staff

    Variety
    Top Critic

  • The director's perenially heavy mood seems especially well suited to this indigo-shaded story of a black American saxman (Dexter Gordon) living and performing in Paris in the late 50s.

    April 8, 2008 | Full Review…

    Pat Graham

    Chicago Reader
    Top Critic

  • Dale Turner, as played by Dexter Gordon, seems to be an amalgam of Bud Powell and Lester Young, but the private, rueful dignity that he brings to bear is all his own.

    June 24, 2006 | Full Review…
    Time Out
    Top Critic

  • No actor could do what the great jazz saxophonist Dexter Gordon does in 'Round Midnight.

    May 20, 2003 | Rating: 5/5

    Janet Maslin

    New York Times
    Top Critic

  • You do not need to know a lot about jazz to appreciate what is going on because, in a certain sense, this movie teaches you everything about jazz that you really need to know.

    January 1, 2000 | Rating: 4/4 | Full Review…

    Roger Ebert

    Chicago Sun-Times
    Top Critic
View All Critic Reviews (20)

Audience Reviews for 'Round Midnight

  • Mar 05, 2014
    Dexter Gordon's portrayal of a fish out of water in Paris is marvelous. We soon learn that stepping across an ocean does not allow one to run away from problems.
    John B Super Reviewer
  • Jul 16, 2008
    Captures the essence of Jazz.
    Anthony V Super Reviewer
  • Mar 03, 2007
    A very fine movie about a fictional musican based on Bud Powell and Lester Young. The only problem with this movie is that Dexter Gordon was pretty sick when it was filmed, and his playing isn't top notch for him. However, it's still very good music.
    Morris N Super Reviewer
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