Review of Mo' Better Blues (1990) by Anna B — 25 Nov 2013

Mo Better Blues starts off as it meant to continue, a slick, fast talking and well crafted film focuses on the struggled life of Bleek Gilliam, The film features a great ensemble cast led by 2 great performances from Wesley Snipes and Denzel Washington.

Their relationship in the movie is a key to the films success as it transcends a usual rivalry or friendship in movies. They both deeply respect each other and are good friends but are striving for the same goal and will stop at nothing to achieve it.

Scenes of conflict with them seem natural as they speak frankly to each other whilst fooling around with the other band members whilst the camera moves freely reassuring a sense of commrodary between you and the band and between the band itself.

Their a tightly woven group and the relaxed pacing and handheld camera work gives a sense of home-movie to the film without ever coming across as amateur. The soundtrack is another area where this film excels as the soundtrack doesn't just feel like a soundtrack it feels like a quintessential part of the film and if it wasnt there the film would feel incomplete.

Music is these peoples lives through and through and its great to see the film really captures that and re-inforces the feeling of authenticity that is running strong through the film. Saying this it's not perfect, there are more than one occasion where the editing is jolted and quite obviously chops from one scene to another and then back but this is forgivable seen as it's so early in the directors career.