Born to Be Blue

Audience Reviews

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Luke W Apr 1, 2019 Art Over Anything. Born To Be Blue Budreau is reaching for something beyond his reach. After the dust settles, it somehow might be beneficial for him, but there is a void so remarkably unavoidable that sucks out all the fun from the room decimated by Ethan Hawke as Chet Baker humming couple of tunes. Its greatest trick that the entire structure hinges upon isn't its best asset, if anything it might be off putting, the tease in the game is meant for a greater appeal and not the punch line of the joke. Fortunately, the screenwriter and director, Robert Budreau wins long before the last act is staged. The real romance of the film actually looks like a long hand of tennis match, where both Hawke and Carmen Ejogo keeps ping pong-ing each other for the laughs and attention. But amidst all that, the caped approval of both these actors is what makes us nod into their rhythm. This fast paced screenplay is enfolding layer by layer with a steady pace but unfortunately there isn't anything in the next page, so informative or bedazzling enough to sync the level of maturity the performance has to offer. Hawke in his red unblinking eyes and crooked teeth, expresses loneliness in his body language even when he shares the screen with his better half. As much as reserved Hawke is, Ejogo is equally generous, she puts a lot into the table, competent for both of them, their chemistry is like of a 50 year old married couple in the very honeymoon period of their relationship. Contrary to popular belief, Budreau's world is the apt anecdote of the mixture of art and social lifestyle which it manages to teeter throughout the film. Born To Be Blue has the lyrics for the Ethan Hawke, by the Ethan Hawke and of the Ethan Hawke- it doesn't always have to make sense. See more

Ron L Feb 8, 2019 Ethan Hawke did a fantastic job, but aside from that not much going on for this movie, unfortunately!

George M Mar 5, 2018 A decent story about Chet Baker, jazz trumpeter of the 1950s. It is a shame, though, that the story is about the burden of drug addiction more so than the musical talent that Baker possessed. See more

Draco G Sep 11, 2017 Started off pretty promising, but ended up just being fine. Especially that first opening scene, very different and unique, and it was very disappointing seeing the disappointment that came after! Ethan Hawke is pretty great though, as well as everyone else. The music is great, obviously! (Maybe there's a score too?) It's really well shot as well. But, it's a first time writer director (at least the first real one/one with a Rotten Tomatoes score/one that could have maybe been in theatres) and this isn't bad, and didn't suck. It's a very good debut! See more

Hermione S Aug 19, 2017 Hawke gives a fascinating performance as a struggling addict and artist. It wasn't until the second half of the film that I really connected with his character and the story. But then I got hooked into his recovery and comeback, just like his girlfriend. See more

Finn R Aug 15, 2017 Amazing performance by Ethan Hawke in this biographical inspired story about how love & drugs have been a strong dicotomy in Chet Baker's life, career and relationship with the world. A must see. See more

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Born to Be Blue

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