Hidden Movie Gem: “Round Midnight”

Here is a Hidden Movie Gem courtesy of John Casu:

Movie Title: Round Midnight

Year: 1986

Writers: David Rayfiel and Bertrand Tavernier, based on “Dance of the Infidels” by Francis Paudras.

Director: Bertrand Tavernier

Lead Actors: Dexter Gordon, Francois Cluzet, Gabriell Haker, Sandra Reaves-Phillips and Herbie Hancock.

Plot Summary: In ‘Round Midnight, real-life jazz legend Dexter Gordon brilliantly portrays the fictional tenor sax player Dale Turner, a musician slowly losing the battle with alcoholism, estranged from his family, and hanging on by a thread in the 1950’s New York jazz world. Dale gets an offer to play in Paris, where, like many other black American musicians at the time, he enjoys a respect for his humanity that is not based upon the color of his skin. A Parisian man who is obsessed with Turner’s music befriends him and attempts to save Turner from himself. Although for Dale the damage is already done, his poignant relationship with the man and his young daughter re-kindles his spirit and his music as the end draws near.

Why I think this movie is a gem: Based on the real friendship between Lester Young and Francis Paudras, and named after the jazz standard written by Thelonious Monk, imho this is the greatest movie ever made about musicians or artists in general. Bar none.

Thematically, it deals with the essential conflict between the desire to pursue art (or to see it pursued), and the inevitable cost of that desire arising from the self destructive and addictive tendencies of the artistic temperament.

Narrated partially in flashback, the movie’s main story line also examines the flip side of that coin and the perspective of a fan so obsessed with the music and so in awe of the artist, that he will make personal sacrifices in order to help.

When we first meet Francis, he’s kneeling down outside a window at the blue note trying to listen to Dale’s music coming from inside, because he cannot afford the club’s cover charge. That doesn’t stop him from inviting Dale into his home, and of course, as time passes, hero worship evolves to a friendship between equals, However, as much as the divorced Francis helps Dale regain his sense of purpose, he in turn is transformed into a more purposeful and whole man.

This is not a bleak movie, but one filled with the joy of friendship, life and music being created, and the melancholy of an artistic life now departed. However, it is a Greek tragedy, as the 3rd act deals with the consequence of the artistic temperament. Dale accepts an offer to return to New York, knowing that he will be unable to resist the city’s inevitable malevolent influences which will lead to his own death. But he’s compelled like a moth drawn to a flame, because only in New York is the best and most innovative jazz being played.

Underpinned by the subtext of racism in America, Bernard Tavernier’s bold decision not just to use mostly black musicians as actors, but real-life musical giants, creates a realism so imbued with the essence of jazz and the jazz scene of late 1950s Paris,
you can almost smell the cigarettes and stale wine.

Dexter Gordon’s Oscar nominated turn as Dale Turner is simply amazing, with that voice, cadence and delivery. Simultaneously low key and larger than life, but with none of the showboating actors most usually bring, the NY Times’ Janet Maslin once wrote that there’s no actor alive who could have done what Gordon did. It’s hard to disagree with her, as he’s really not acting here, but in essence replaying the life he once lived.

In terms of acting performances, Herbie Hancock and Bobby Hutcherson also deserve nods.

Then there’s the music itself, which is fundamentally why you should go and see this film.

In some sense, this is one of the earliest reality movies as Tavernier makes his musician-actors play live. You don’t have to be a serious jazz fan to appreciate the boldness of that choice.

The result is astonishing, because not only do we see and hear legendary musicians play great music, and interplay off with each other, but because they’re live and unpolished, these musical scenes live and breathe like no others in cinematic history. You really do get the feeling like you’re actually there in the room, sitting just a few feet away.

Put together by Herbie Hancock (who also has a major acting role) this movie’s Oscar winning soundtrack is just sublime.

My Favorite Moments in the Movie: So many great moments in this movie, but three stand out:

First, every music scene is just amazingly brilliant.

Second, when Dale and Darcey are on a date, she reaches into her purse to pay, but Dale pulls out his own cash to show her he’s cleaned up.

Last, the scene where Dale talks to the psychiatrist. It encapsulates everything important about how true artists feel and think.

My Favorite Dialogue in the Movie:

Dale: My life is music. My love is music. And it’s 24 hours a day.
Francis: When you were talking to the doctor, I was listening.
Dale: [with mock indignation] You were?… Was I good?

Key Things You Should Look For When Watching This Movie: Martin Scorsese in a rare acting role as a cynical and amoral music agent. Play spot the legend with the musicians who appear in this movie.

Movie Trailer:

Excerpt:

Thanks, John! To show our gratitude for your guest post, here’s a dash of creative juju for you. Whoosh!

Tomorrow: Another Hidden Movie Gem!

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