MovieChat Forums > 'Round Midnight (1986) Discussion > What a Pretentious Bore of a Film

What a Pretentious Bore of a Film

posted 15 years ago by Brian Scott Mednick
13 replies | jump to latest

I remember how this film was the darling of critics back in 1986. I saw it when I was a teen and did not like it at all. So I just got it from Netflix to see if my many years of wisdom would give me a new appreciation for the film. No - I was a pretty smart kid.

The film is laughably pretentious. The music is shockingly not good. The first time Dexter Gordon plays the sax, I thought it sounded awful (he butchered "As Time Goes By"). And yet this won the Oscar for Best Score over Ennio Morricone's haunting music in The Mission.

The story is pointless - we never understand what the Frenchman sees in Dale aside from his music. Dale himself is nothing more than a dull drunk who goes on about how music is his life when in reality he prefers booze. It's hard to judge Gordon's performance. He is basically playing himself - his raspy voice (he was diagnosed with cancer of the larynx shortly after making the film) and detached demeanor could be read as brilliant by some, I guess, but I just did not have any empathy for this guy.

There is nothing fresh, funny, engaging or entertaining about this bloated, boring mess. It's called 'Round Midnight because if you start watching it at 3:00 p.m., by the time it's over it will feel like it's 'round midnight.

[–] mborshuk-745-46663 11 years ago

What a moving review. I hope you put your Lynrd Skynrd Greatest Hits LP on afterward and watched Ernest Goes to Camp again as a tonic for the suffering you had to endure watching this movie.

[–] Brian Scott Mednick 11 years ago

And I hope you find a parking meter and violate yourself.

[–] zuloworks 11 years ago

hahaha,

1:1

no, really, you have to admit: saying that DG is 'butchering' themes, is taking away all your credibility for whatever comes up next.

If the Jazz genre is not your cup of tea, so be it.
But this doesn't makes this movie bad. It is just your taste. And a critique should never be based on taste. There are bigger and more important parameters that that.
There is a difference in saying 'I don't like vanilla ice cream' and 'this vanilla has a better taste than the other vanilla, because it is not so chemical'.

So the remark of Lynard Skynard is not too far fetched. Nothing wrong with Groover Washington, if it gives you something. But then: don't look down to people who prefer other music.

I love Dexter Gordon and his music. And I find Round about Midnight' a beautiful illustration on that essence.

[–] Brian Scott Mednick 11 years ago

Here is my chicken salad recipe:

Chicken Salad
1 whole roasted chicken
3 ribs of celery, diced
Hellmann's mayonnaise

Remove all skin and bones from chicken. Separate all meat and put into a large bowl. Cut and/or tear chicken into small bite size pieces. Add diced celery and enough mayo to coat (I like my chicken salad with a lot of mayo, but adjust to your own taste). Mix thoroughly and chill for several hours. Serve on your choice of bread (I like rye or a hearty white like Pepperidge Farm) with a little extra mayo, lettuce, and salt to taste. Makes one quart, enough for approximately five generous sandwiches.

[–] zuloworks 11 years ago

well,

in this case the chicken seems to be you.

boy: acting as an agent terrible with nothing else than you & yourself in the game is truly masturbation.
bon appétit.

In the meanwhile I'm gonna have a piece of cheesecake, served by mr. dexter gordon, and sharing his wonderful universal backbeat

[–] eelb 10 years ago

Let me guess: Born and bred on Rock n' Roll, and you think music history began with The Beatles. You wondered into this film because it was critically acclaimed, and you didn't have enough of a background in music appreciation to understand it. Decades later, while browsing Netflix, you watched it again, and you still don't have the musical education to understand it. So you come on to IMDb, and declare it a bore. When responding to others posts, you get cute with food recipes.

[–] Brian Scott Mednick 10 years ago

You really think I'm cute? Thanks.

[–] Chenille333 10 years ago

If you truly apreciated Jazz music you'd know that the music in this film is simply not very interesting, it's mostly composed stuff no impressive solos to be find anywhere, might aswell listen to Kenny G

Music plays a small part in this film though, Dexter can play sure but he can't act and 95% of this film feature him acting and not playing so apreciating the music or not has very little to do with enjoying the film.

[–] HellRaidertr 10 years ago

So much *beep* in this post.

"...music in this film is simply not very interesting..."

Bollocks.

I have lost the count of how many times I have listened to "Body and Soul".
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rD3jE9MoRqs

This movie is all music.

Hey, Soldier. Do you know who's in command here?

[–] eelb53 (36) 3 years ago

Depends on what type of Jazz you like. Sounds as those you may like the technical genius'whose expertise is as much akin to solving a Calculus problem, as it is to performing a great solo. I respect that the same way I do Classical music. Just not my thing.

I suppose you would toss Lester Young, Ben Webster, and Stan Getz into the bag with Kenny G too. In which you would be wrong.

[–] brussels_sprout13 10 years ago

OP...Do you not realize that the obvious imperfections in DG's solo and duets were intentional!? It's called ACTING! He is playing an aging musician in "December" of his career. His last hurrah is the trip to Paris where Jazz has always been appreciated more than in The States. For his fans...his iconic status completely muted the loss of skills over the years.

Take time to listen to some of Mr Gordon's REAL works before you judge his skills.

Jus' sayin'!!

[–] aquarianbrass 8 years ago

where Jazz has always been appreciated more than in The States

This is a myth if I ever heard one.

[–] eelb53 (36) 3 years ago

Yes, Jazz was appreciated in the US in the 1930's, 40's, and early part of the 50's. There was a mass exodus of Jazz musicians to Europe after Rock took over beginning in the late 50's. These musicians were middle age and older, and had made a living playing Jazz their entire lives. Many survived playing in Europe under less than desirable circumstances. Although not directly expressed, this is what this film is about.