Mo' Better Blues is a 1990 American musical comedy-drama film directed, written, produced, and starred by Spike Lee. The film features Denzel Washington, Wesley Snipes, and Spike Lee himself. The story follows a period in the life of fictional jazz trumpeter Bleek Gilliam (played by Washington) as a series of bad decisions result in his jeopardizing both his relationships and his playing career. The film focuses on themes of friendship, loyalty, honesty, cause-and-effect, and ultimately salvation.
Mo' Better Blues received mixed to positive reviews from critics, as the film holds a 72% rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 36 reviews. The consensus states: "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".
Cast
- Denzel Washington as Minifield "Bleek" Gilliam
- Spike Lee as Giant
- Wesley Snipes as Shadow Henderson
- Giancarlo Esposito as Left Hand Lacey
- Robin Harris as Butterbean Jones
- Joie Lee as Indigo Downes
- Bill Nunn as Bottom Hammer
- John Turturro as Moe Flatbush
Other cast members include Charlie Murphy, Cynda Williams, Nicholas Turturro, Jeff "Tain" Watts, and Rubén Blade. In addition to the cast, Terence Blanchard and Donald Harrison served as technical advisors for the film.
Director: Spike Lee
Writer: Spike Lee
Distributor: Universal Pictures
Box Office Gross: $16,153,593
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 3, 1990
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 19, 2016