Rent 'Round Midnight (1986)

Best jazz film ever - 'Round Midnight review by JW

If you are a fan of post-bop jazz and 1950s Paris, you're going to love this film. The story of an ageing saxophonist battling with addiction befriended by a French fan is based on a true story. Far from being grim, the characters on and offstage are full of life. The Oscar winning soundtrack is played live on set by luminaries of the jazz world. 1950s Paris is loving recreated on the screen. Dexter Gordon's portrayal of a jazz artist facing the end of his life while producing amazing music is riveting. This is far and away the best film about the life of a jazz musician, capturing its mixed realities and great music at the same time. I would love to step into the screen and live in the world portrayed.

Long Tall Dexter - 'Round Midnight review by RhysH

If you are making a film about a great jazz musician why not get a great jazz musician to play the part? Difficult? Not if you get Dexter Gordon, whose playing and acting in this film is quite superb. As with his playing style, in his acting, he gives himself space, a beautifully measured performance.

In a discussion with other jazzmen for "Down Beat" Gordon talked about his move to Europe. "Since I've been over here I felt that I could breathe, and just be more or less a human being without being white or black."

On the cover of Gordon's album "One Flight Up" he stands tall, legs wide apart with his infectious big tooth grin. He looks a giant of a man, he was a giant of a player and a great actor

Dreary but some good bits of music - 'Round Midnight review by RD

This meanders from start to the finish, often with hinted parts of the storyline giving an empty feeling to the film and using musicians who give a very wooden approach to acting. Some of the music scenes are good, although Dexter Gordon's saxophone level could have been lowered to fit the balance of the rest of the band as it did seem a bit too loud. We stuck it to the end but were glad it was over.