Round Midnight

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Round Midnight

R,

1986,

2h 10m,

Drama

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Watchlist

100%

25 Reviews

Tomatometer

88%

2,500+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

100%

Tomatometer

25 Reviews

88%

Popcornmeter

2,500+ Ratings

In the 1950s, Dale Turner (Dexter Gordon), a gifted black saxophonist with a drinking problem, leaves behind New York and his estranged family and relocates to Paris. There he plays for a progressive, jazz-loving audience without being judged by his race, and ages quietly in peace. Not intending to turn away from his vices, Dale nonetheless becomes the project of a French fan (François Cluzet) who tries to help him fight his alcoholism, ultimately inspiring both Dale and his music.

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Critics Consensus

Brought brilliantly to life by Dexter Gordon's outstanding performance, Round Midnight is the rare jazz-inflected drama that matches the power of the music.

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Richard Brody

The New Yorker

Feb 16, 2024

Gordon’s performance conveys something else that’s all too rare in movies of musicians—namely, joy. It’s a serene and lofty joy, with an element of wry detachment and even self-deprecation built in, but it’s vitally present nonetheless.

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Clayton Dillard

Slant Magazine

May 20, 2022

The beacon of ’Round Midnight is Dexter Gordon’s performance.

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Tim Pulleine

Guardian

Oct 27, 2021

A wonderfully detailed performance by a real jazz musician, Dexter Gordon.

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Nicholas Bell

IONCINEMA.com

Jul 28, 2022

3.5/5

‘Round Midnight succeeds as a composite of jazz and its tormented originators thanks to the inspired casting and improvisational skills of real-life bebop musician Dexter Gordon.

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Jas Keimig

The Stranger (Seattle, WA)

Dec 9, 2021

Though I think Dale sometimes has a whiff of the inscrutable Magical Negro, Gordon plays him with so much charm and nuance that he becomes fully fleshed-out character. And by God, the music!

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Philip French

Observer (UK)

Oct 27, 2021

Romantic without being sentimental, the picture has a marvelous look and sound and feel.

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Poe G

Nov 28, 2007

It's a brooding yet warm elegy, as plaintive as a slow, low-toned ballad in a minor key.

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Bertrand Tavernier

Director

Dexter Gordon

Dale Turner

François Cluzet

Francis Borler

Gabrielle Haker

Berangere

Sandra Reaves-Phillips

Buttercup

Lonette McKee

Darcey Leigh

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Synopsis

In the 1950s, Dale Turner (Dexter Gordon), a gifted black saxophonist with a drinking problem, leaves behind New York and his estranged family and relocates to Paris. There he plays for a progressive, jazz-loving audience without being judged by his race, and ages quietly in peace. Not intending to turn away from his vices, Dale nonetheless becomes the project of a French fan (François Cluzet) who tries to help him fight his alcoholism, ultimately inspiring both Dale and his music.

Director: Bertrand Tavernier
Producer: Irwin Winkler
Production Co: Little Bear [fr]
Rating: R
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 12, 1986, Original
Rerelease Date (Theaters): Oct 3, 1986
Release Date (DVD): Jan 30, 2001
Box Office (Gross USA): $2.7M
Runtime: 2h 10m
Sound Mix: Surround, Stereo

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