Born to Be Blue

The wife gives it five stars. And I think that this would be a really enjoyable movie, and a great intro to the character that is Chet Baker, for those who know absolutely nothing about him. Now, I am no expert myself about Baker, but even I know enough to know that this movie - for whatever reason(s) - leaves out a heck of a lot of important stuff, including the beginning and ending.What? In a movie about Chet Baker it isn't important to show the revolutionary style that made him famous in the first place? It isn't important to show the rise to fame? And though the beginning of the film tells us that we are picking up the story during his attempted "comeback," it isn't important as to why he is "coming back?" And no portrayal of the final years of touring? No portrayal, beyond the mere mention, of the circumstances of the death?For the snippet of the story that this film deals with, it is a really quality and engrossing film. Having said that, if you think you know the Chet Baker saga from watching this film, you have unfortunately been deprived of some of the most important aspects of that saga.

I have a huge collection of Chet Baker's recordings. Something tragic about trumpet players. Bix Beiderbecke, Young man with a horn with -Kirk Douglas, Fats Navarro, Clifford Brown. Of course musicians always playing in bars, late at night, cigaretts, smoking grass. Willie Nelson and It's Not a good life but it's my life" Darkness colors this film to the point when color is turned on-it's dark color. The first 15 minutes are so dark you can't see anyone or anything, and you can't hear any dialouge. The music I wish it was more offered, and Hawke's singing should have been discouraged' Just use Bakers recordings and let Hawke do something else on screen. Still and all this is by far the best effort to show us Baker as he was. There is a black and white film noir with Baker as he really was and is. But talent is one thing and being dead has not much to do with it. As Jonn Ford the director of most of John Waynes films one sais,"the camera loves certain people". An drama about the best we'll see and hear is worthwhile. Chet wasn't disturbed or mentally ill- he loved music and he loved being high and lived exactly as he wished. Duke Ellington was once asked."how would you rate Count Basie?" Ellington remarked "You don't rate an Artist, you appreciate an artist"

I thought Ethan Hawke's portrayal was convincing. However, my skin crawled when Hawke attempted to sing like Chet Baker. Terrible! The producers could just as easily have used Baker's own singing on the sound track. I have a similar objection to the substitute for Baker's trumpet playing. It was good, but it was not Chet. Furthermore, Hawke's close-ups with trumpet clearly showed that his cheeks were motionless, that he was not blowing the horn.I had hopes that the title, Born to Be Blue, would be reinforced by Baker either playing or singing that tune, which was written by Mel Torme and Robert Wells. Alas! No such luck.

Although I am a huge jazz fan, I didn't know much about Chet Baker's life. So I am not grading the film based on historical accuracy. Ethan Hawke is always so committed. I never questioned the realism of the musical performances. There are so many music films, even the most acclaimed ones, in which the performances look distractingly unauthentic. I never had to think about that watching this film. They also did a great job of depicting another time period on what I assume was a small budget.This film has an interesting twist on the typical addiction-recovery story that we have seen told over again. I Walk The Line, Ray, and Crazy Heart all tell essentially the same story in this regard. Born To Be Blue adds an interesting and possibly more realistic twist to the formula. Best feature film about jazz in many years!

not going to have any spoilers here. just to say that Ethan Hawke did a great job! Have been a Chet Baker fan,and did not know the whole story of his life,but this sort of fills in the gaps. I am a trumpet player,nothing close toChet Baker of course,and have some messed up dental situations with busted up front teeth and am having alot ofwork done and hope I can recover as Chet did,His music will always stand up against anything today.Also on prime,watch the Late great Chet Baker in "Candy",a sort of documentary,its free with prime. it centers on post recoveryof his chops .

If you’re interested in the life of Chet Baker, you should enjoy this fictionalized telling of his life story. Ethan Hawke is amazing, as he becomes Chet Baker! Just keep in mind, a lot of the facts are wrong, or sensationalized. I would suggest enjoying the movie first, then, read a bio of his life on Wikipedia or somewhere else to get more of a true feel four the jazz legends tormented life.

Ethan Hawke performed splendidly as Chet Baker. He is a wonderful and very versatile actor. He can perform any character in any movie he makes. It is a good life story of Chet Baker put in a movie. It is a very good drama movie that everyone should see it because it gives a lesson in life not to give up on anything you want to do in life. I enjoyed the movie very much and I love the performance of Ethan Hawke as Chet Baker.

Ethan Hawke was simply wonderful as Chet Baker. Did a fabulous job. I have been a Chet Baker fan for years and hesitated about watching this movie but it did not disappoint. Fabulous!!!

I prefer Bruce Weber's biopic, Let's Get Lost. But Teresa, my wife, prefers this. Both are worth seeing. Weber's movie was my introduction to Baker, and kindled a lifelong love for the man and his music.Ethan Hawke does a difficult job well. Chet is, or rather was, a one off, making him hard to emulate. And like a lot of 'jazz cats', even trying to do so runs the risk of unintentional parody.This movie tips more than the occasional nod to Weber's film. But it also finds its own way, and does so very well, in my view. Hawke and the film makers were nigh on foolhardily brave to do it the way they have - e.g. the a capella start to the Birdland set - nobody sings or plays quite like Chet.It took some balls to even try making this film, let alone making it the way they did. And whilst far from perfect, it's fascinating and compelling. Just like Baker's real life story.Rather like the man it portrays, this film is flawed, but well worth checking out.

This didn't get to my local cinema and it took me a while to order the DVD, due to the reported foul language etc. So apart from that, this was a quite emotional film but not quite as stylish as the 'other' jazz trumpeter film released the same year as Born to Be Blue, Miles Ahead (which I did see at the cinema). The music of course was great.

enjoyed film

Eventually got the dvd. Arrived couple of days after stated. But not complaining. Good value and would use again.

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