Rating: R
Genre:
Drama
Theatrical Release: 08/03/1990(USA)
Release Date: 01/30/2001
SubTitles: English
Dubbed: English/Espanol/French
Sound: DDS
Run Time: 130 Minutes
Flags: Violence, Nudity, Adult Situations, Strong Sexual Content, Not For Children, Profanity
Distributor/Studio: Universal Studios
Spike Lee's 1990 directing effort is a jazz film, the story of a fictional trumpeter named Bleek Gilliam (
Denzel Washington). He leads a quintet at the Beneath the Underground club with a flashy saxophonist named Shadow Henderson (
Wesley Snipes). Though Shadow takes a few too many solos, everything seems fine in Bleek's life. Trouble soon arises, however, and he is forced to make decisions regarding both his best friend Giant (
Spike Lee), and his relationships with two women. Giant, his manager and old pal, is addicted to gambling and often gets roughed up by thugs looking for pay back. Bleek is the only member of the quintet who wants to keep him as manager. The trumpeter's woman problems concern trying to decide between two girlfriends who both love him: a schoolteacher (
Joie Lee) and a singer (
Cynda Williams).
Spike's father
Bill Lee scored the film, with contributions from
Branford Marsalis,
Terence Blanchard,
Abbey Lincoln and
Ruben Blades (who plays Giant's bookie).
~ John Bush, All Movie Guide
;)
