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IMDbPro

Mo' Better Blues

  • 1990
  • R
  • 2h 10m
IMDb RATING
6.7/10
14K
YOUR RATING
Denzel Washington, Spike Lee, Joie Lee, and Cynda Williams in Mo' Better Blues (1990)
Home Video Trailer from Universal Studios Home Entertainment
Play trailer0:31
1 Video
98 Photos
Steamy RomanceWorkplace DramaDramaMusicRomance

Jazz trumpeter Bleek Gilliam makes questionable decisions in his professional and romantic lives.Jazz trumpeter Bleek Gilliam makes questionable decisions in his professional and romantic lives.Jazz trumpeter Bleek Gilliam makes questionable decisions in his professional and romantic lives.

  • Director
    • Spike Lee
  • Writer
    • Spike Lee
  • Stars
    • Denzel Washington
    • Spike Lee
    • Wesley Snipes
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • IMDb RATING
    6.7/10
    14K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Spike Lee
    • Writer
      • Spike Lee
    • Stars
      • Denzel Washington
      • Spike Lee
      • Wesley Snipes
    • 47User reviews
    • 27Critic reviews
    • 61Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 win & 3 nominations

    Videos1

    Mo' Better Blues
    Trailer 0:31
    Watch Mo' Better Blues

    Photos98

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    Top cast55

    Edit
    Denzel Washington
    Denzel Washington
    • Bleek Gilliam
    Spike Lee
    Spike Lee
    • Giant
    Wesley Snipes
    Wesley Snipes
    • Shadow Henderson (Sax)
    Giancarlo Esposito
    Giancarlo Esposito
    • Left Hand Lacey (Piano)
    Robin Harris
    Robin Harris
    • Butterbean Jones
    Joie Lee
    Joie Lee
    • Indigo Downes
    Bill Nunn
    Bill Nunn
    • Bottom Hammer (Bass)
    John Turturro
    John Turturro
    • Moe Flatbush
    Dick Anthony Williams
    Dick Anthony Williams
    • Big Stop Williams
    Cynda Williams
    Cynda Williams
    • Clarke Bentancourt
    Nicholas Turturro
    Nicholas Turturro
    • Josh Flatbush
    Jeff 'Tain' Watts
    • Rhythm Jones (Drums)
    Samuel L. Jackson
    Samuel L. Jackson
    • Madlock
    Leonard L. Thomas
    Leonard L. Thomas
    • Rod
    Charlie Murphy
    Charlie Murphy
    • Eggy
    • (as Charles Q. Murphy)
    Steve White
    Steve White
    • Born Knowledge
    Rubén Blades
    Rubén Blades
    • Petey
    Abbey Lincoln
    Abbey Lincoln
    • Lillian Gilliam
    • Director
      • Spike Lee
    • Writer
      • Spike Lee
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Denzel Washington and Wesley Snipes were trained to mimic the playing of the instruments they play in the film (trumpet and saxophone), by musicians Terence Blanchard and Donald Harrison. Washington later admitted that he was lucky if he could play three notes of a simple tune prior to filming, and ended up being able to correctly mimic most of the songs performed in the film, as did Snipes.
    • Goofs
      During the performance of Bleek's "Pop Top Urban 40 Funk Love ... Song", Bleek's headgear changes from hat to baseball cap.
    • Quotes

      Clarke: 'Cause mo better makes it mo better.

    • Crazy credits
      Flavor Flave of the rap group Public Enemy spells out the letters in "Universal" as the studio logo appears on the screen.
    • Connections
      Edited into Cynda Williams: Harlem Blues (1990)
    • Soundtracks
      Harlem Blues
      Written and performed by Branford Marsalis Quartet and Terence Blanchard
      Vocals by Cynda Williams

    User reviews47

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    10/10

    Spike Lee, ya got this one right!

    One of Spike Lee's best, "Mo Better Blues" captures the atmosphere of jazz. The soundtrack flows with the acting like a song. Denzel Washington does a great job of portraying a jazzman's quest for perfection, while living in a "real world" full of problems. Being a musician myself, I appreciated the struggle Washington's character was going through. All of Spike Lee's trademark camera angles (which I've disliked in some of his movies) worked to perfection in this movie. Great music, good acting, and a solid plot. Recommend!
    • Rhythm-2
    • Dec 3, 1998
    • Permalink

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    FAQ19

    • How long is Mo' Better Blues?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • August 3, 1990 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Languages
      • French
      • Spanish
      • English
    • Also known as
      • A Love Supreme
    • Filming locations
      • Brooklyn Bridge, New York City, New York, USA
    • Production companies
      • Universal Pictures
      • 40 Acres & A Mule Filmworks
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $10,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $16,153,593
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $4,387,360
      • Aug 5, 1990
    • Gross worldwide
      • $16,153,593
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 10 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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