Mo' Better Blues
1990
**½
Director: Spike Lee
Cast: Denzel Washington, Spike Lee, Wesley Snipes, Giancarlo Esposito, Robin Harris, Joie Lee, Cynda Williams, Bill Nunn, John Turturro, Dick Anthony Williams, Jeff "Tain" Watts, Samuel L. Jackson
Spike Lee's follow-up to Do the Right Thing is a laid-back and loosely-plotted comedy drama about jazz trumpeter Bleek Gilliam, who finds himself on a personal and professional slippery slope. Bleek, who is two-timing two women, leads a successful ensemble but risks their future due to misplaced loyalty. The film is shot in vibrant colours and features a groovy soundtrack composed by Spike's father, Bill Lee. On the whole, however, it feels meandering, ill-disciplined, and overlong.
