'ROUND MIDNIGHT (1986) - ♦♦♦♦♦

Directed by - Bertrand Tavernier

Written by - David Rayfiel, Bertrand Tavernier, Colo Tavernier

Starring - Dexter Gordon, Francois Cluzet, Gabrielle Haker

"ROUND MIDNIGHT is the story of Dale Turner, considered a legendary tenor sax player, but slowly losing his battle with alcoholism. We follow him as he takes a regular post in a 1950's Paris night club, and befriends a single father and jazz enthusiast in his dying days. 

BERTRAND TAVERNIER's film is a must watch for all fans of jazz and its culture. The romanticism of the cultural times in which it is set is represented with awe and affection by the great, fluid and meticulous cinematography of BRUNO DE KREYER, while the production design by ALEXANDRE TRAUNER completely embraces the image of the smoky intimate underground night clubs and bars that once hosted such amazing music. 

Of course, the tone is enriched by the fantastic Oscar winning music composed by the great HERBIE HANCOCK, who also has a small part in the film as the pianist of the club's resident band. The story of ROUND MIDNIGHT is subtle and yet quite meaningful. On the one hand, it is a harrowing and painful tale of addictions. On another, it is also defined by the warmth of the pivotal friendship between the down and out jazzman and his fan, the two helping each other in the process. 

The film is also defined by a great performance by real-life jazz legend DEXTER GORDON playing the role of Dale Turner. It is an unusually powerful performance, which doesn't necessarily fit into the conventions of an actor's role, and remains quite organic to its overall vision. 

Commendable in so many ways, there really is a lot to like about the film, but what is perhaps most admirable is the smooth and calm way in which ROUND MIDNIGHT manages to achieve all this, with the humane outlook balancing the romantic traditionalism of the homage to the world of jazz."

Drama, USA/France