Inside the Blue Note nightclub one night in 1959 Paris, an aged, ailing jazzman coaxes an eloquent wail from his tenor sax. Outside, a young Parisian too broke to buy a glass of wine strains to hear those notes. Soon they will form a friendship that sparks a final burst of genius.
Acting
Dexter Gordon lived this role; his fragility is devastatingly real.
Score
Herbie Hancock's Oscar-winning score breathes with authentic Blue Note soul.
Cinematography
Philippe Sarde's camera lingers like a last cigarette at closing time.
Director
Bertrand Tavernier
Dexter Gordon
Dale Turner
François Cluzet
Francis Borler
Christine Pascal
Sylvie
Pierre Trabaud
le père de Francis
Frédérique Meininger
la mère de Francis
Liliane Rovère
Madame Queen
Ged Marlon
Beau
Benoît Régent
Le psychiatre
Philippe Noiret
Redon
Eddy Mitchell
L'ivrogne au bar du Blue Note
Sandra Reaves-Phillips
Buttercup
Lonette McKee
Darcey Leigh
Herbie Hancock
Eddie Wayne
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Tavernier cast actual jazz legends—Wayne Shorter, Ron Carter, Billy Higgins—making the club scenes documentary-real.
Dexter Gordon died four years later; his Oscar nomination was the only one of his life, for playing a version of himself at the end of it.
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