Rating: 
Summary: The sincere portrayal of an archtypical bebop player
Review: Strong lyricism found in this movie makes it extremely unique. The director is able to make lasting impression by some seemingly unimportant nuiances. Audiences are able to have glimpses of the emotions of the characters without knowing too much. This deliberate distancing from inner worlds of characters compel audiences to imagine and interpret. The vaqueness is so enchanting that audiences are left to wanting more. The life of Dale Turner, the main character, is the archetypical life of an American bebop player, so archetypical it eerily echoes the life of Dexter Gordon (the actor) himself- though this similarity is merely a coincidance. For jazz lovers, it is a film that certainly captures a part of American jazz history- the bebop and post-bop era. Jazz lovers should be amazed to see almost all psycological and musical aspects of the era they have learned from textbooks or casual readings reflected in this film. END
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful Film, An Homage to USA Jazz In Paris
Review: The late saxophonist, Dexter Gordon, was absolutely fabulous in this film about an American jazz musician in Paris as the 1950s come to a close. He befriends a young Frenchman who tries to help him but ultimately such friends will always be the givers in a relationship with a jazz artist. There is dialogue in this movie that is always the first thing I remember about it. Gordon's character wonders why people always expect that by escaping to somewhere else, that they will find a new life. "But you're still yourself when you land there," he adds, "You'd have to be a different person inside if you wanted to escape into a new life." These are prophetic words because although race-blind Paris will offer yet another jazz opportunity to this American black musician, he will never escape from himself. He ultimately sees a French psychiatrist when he can't stay away from booze and drugs. "I can't turn off the music in my head," he says, "It is always playing." Perhaps no truer words have ever been spoken by an artist because even those with smaller gifts in the fine arts see images or hear music in their heads. They might be able to turn it off at times but a huge talent won't be able to do so. As they say, there is no free lunch. This film also offers a superb soundtrack that I had to buy upon leaving the movie theater. This is an excellent film where you are justified in owning both the DVD film and the CD soundtrack.
Rating:
Summary: I could watch
Review: these scenes 100 times...Dexter Gordon and Wayne Shorter trading riffs - perhaps each other's Lonette McKee singing 'How Long Has This Been Going On?"
Rating: 
Summary: Important Work!
Review: This film is important. The time in history where Black artists, not just Jazz Musicians, evoked a self-exiled existance in Europe where they could have some resemblance of appreciation in their life, can never be forgotten. In some ways its still going on today. James Baldwin is another example of an artist who chose to live in Europe where he was treated like what his passport stated "American".
Another important happening that this movie brought about was a deep seated regret in Film-Maker/Actor/Jazz afficianado Clint Eastwood. Who admits that this film should have been produced by Americans first. Mr. Eastwood lost no time in producing "Bird" shortly afterwards. Which is also a fabulous film that celebrated the music and appropriately chronicled the demons (Alcohol,Drugs)that drove these musicians. As an American Black I am very thankful to Clint Eastwood and my respect for him instantly mulitiplied upon hearing this. As Clint and so many others remind us all the time, "Jazz is an original American art form" Yes its sad that Europe beat us to the punch, but on the other hand, there are so many more beautiful "Jazz" stories out there yet to be written.
If you love Jazz and are interested in witnessing some of the true life stories surrounding it, make this a part of your collection.
Rating:
Summary: Music is love
Review: This film tells us the story of the last years of Saxophonist Dale Turner. He is killing himself little by little with alcohol, though he has retained his music. He is under the strict surveillance from a woman, Buttercup, who locks him up to prevent him from running away to a bar. He is regenerated by a fan of his, a French graphic artist who takes him to his home, and his young daughter and integrates him in his family. Dale promises to stop drinking and he does. He recaptures his capability to compose music and finds a new life and youth in this late period of his life. He goes back to New York where he is received very favorably, but he can't stay there because New York is full of bad recollections and he feels it lacks some human atmosphere. So he goes back to Paris but life is never forever and he passes away one night, just like going to sleep a little bit too long. A very sensitive and emotional film in many ways. Tavernier directs it with tact and taste. The Paris of the 50s-60s is perfectly recreated, without its cars and with people in the streets that care for what is happening around them. He avoids emotions for the sake of emotions and builds up some deeply thought and felt situations. It is a lesson in generosity, respect and love for music. Dr Jacques COULARDEAU, University of Perpignan
Rating: 
Summary: Gordon rips off Bud Powell
Review: This is a rip off of the Bud Powell story, plain and simple. Francis Paudras was an artist of sorts, similar to the graphic artist in the movie. Francis lived with his girlfriend rather than his daughter. Buttercup was the devil woman in Powell's life, they don't even bother to change the name here. Making money off of the story of Bud Powell without having to pay anyone for it seems ridiculous to me. If you want the real story behind this movie, read "Dance of the Infidels: A Portrait of Bud Powell", written by Paudras himself. The book, while tedious at times, is drenched with the emotion of a truly heartbreaking story, rather than this cheap ripoff.
Rating:
Summary: Great Movie
Review: This is a wonderful, moving story about one of the great tenor players in jazz. Highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: I'd actually give this more than 5 stars
Review: This is an amazing movie. Great jazz, great story, great acting by Gordon. There are also so many great jazz musicians in this movie, not to mention the score written by Herbie Hancock. The guy above who is saying this is just a rip off of Bud Powell's life is a moron. If you look at the beginning of the movie it says this is based on true encounters or Powell and the movie is dedicated to him. So, YEAH...it's gonna seem like a familiar story...what an idiot.
Anyway, if you love jazz you'll love this. This is also a movie that you have to sit and watch interrupted or you'll miss some funny, inspiring, thoughful, beautiful moments.
Rating:
Summary: The Best
Review: This is one of the best movies I have ever seen. Wish I could get it on DVD for my collection. If you've seen it once, you will watch it again and again.
Rating:
Summary: Straight Enough to Play His Ax... and Sweetly...
Review: This is one of those masterpieces that is not for everyone. It's not for any given night, either, even for those who regularly enjoy masterpieces. Speed-of-MTV Hollywood addicts will have difficulty relating to or enjoying the sublimely atmospheric pacing of a film like this, just as, on a musical level, Kenny G fans aren't going to get it either. Conventional narrative and plot are subsumed in the heartbreaking bop ballads that literally saturate the film with its energy and emotion. Are the "actors" acting? Not when they play their instruments. Few films efface the distance between actor and nonactor as well as this. Has Dale come to Paris to die, or to live a little longer? Perhaps even he cannot answer that question, but the music he creates there stands as his own epitaph. It is the bluest film that's ever been made.
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