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Lush Life

Play trailer Lush Life R Released Oct 1, 1993 1h 44m Musical Play Trailer Watchlist
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Tomatometer 0 Reviews 82% Popcornmeter 100+ Ratings
Buddy Chester (Forest Whitaker) and Al Gorky (Jeff Goldblum) are close friends and fellow New York City jazz musicians who scrape by playing studio sessions and night clubs. When Buddy develops a fatal brain tumor, Al decides to put together an all-star jam session as a final farewell. Buddy agrees, but with two stipulations: No one can know he's terminally ill, and Al, who has become lethargic in his personal life and career, must get his act together if he wants to participate.

Audience Reviews

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Audience Member Here's the thing. This is a made-for-TV movie, so it has that look to it. But as a film, it's sublime. The story is beautiful, the characters are genuine, and it's immersed in authentic musician dialogue and banter that I wonder if Lennie Niehaus co-wrote the script as well as writing the soundtrack. The two leads are completely compelling and believable...to the point that you'd swear FW was actually playing that trumpet. This movie didn't even make a splash when it came out, but I'm so happy to see it has an 81% rating on here because it deserves that and more. And the fact that there is no critics ratings - coz the critics are busy jerking themselves off rating blockbusters and artistically profound movies :) Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/08/23 Full Review Audience Member the music is great too. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 02/08/23 Full Review Audience Member I was in the right mood for this one. Mellow. It was phenomenal. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/13/23 Full Review Audience Member I'm not a jazz fan, but this movie was really touching. Everyone that has a friend like that is extremely lucky. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/28/23 Full Review Audience Member the music is great too. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 01/15/23 Full Review Audience Member Me gusto el manejo que se le dio, diferente a otras peliculas que pudieran tener similitudes en el tema, buena musica y buenas interpretaciones. Pero siento que algo le falto para que pudiese ser de mis favoritas. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/09/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Lush Life

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Cast & Crew

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Michael Elias

Director

Jeff Goldblum

Al Gorky

Forest Whitaker

Buddy Chester

Kathy Baker

Janice Oliver

Tracey Needham

Sarah

Lois Chiles

Lucy
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Lush Life

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Movie Info

Synopsis Buddy Chester (Forest Whitaker) and Al Gorky (Jeff Goldblum) are close friends and fellow New York City jazz musicians who scrape by playing studio sessions and night clubs. When Buddy develops a fatal brain tumor, Al decides to put together an all-star jam session as a final farewell. Buddy agrees, but with two stipulations: No one can know he's terminally ill, and Al, who has become lethargic in his personal life and career, must get his act together if he wants to participate.
Director
Michael Elias
Producer
Thom Colwell
Distributor
Columbia TriStar Home Video, Showtime Entertainment
Production Co
Chanticleer Films, Showtime Pictures
Rating
R
Genre
Musical
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Oct 1, 1993, Wide
Runtime
1h 44m
Sound Mix
Stereo, Surround