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Round Midnight

Play trailer Poster for Round Midnight R Released Sep 12, 1986 2h 10m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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100% Tomatometer 25 Reviews 89% Popcornmeter 2,500+ Ratings
In the 1950s, Dale Turner (Dexter Gordon), a gifted black saxophonist with a drinking problem, leaves behind New York and his estranged family and relocates to Paris. There he plays for a progressive, jazz-loving audience without being judged by his race, and ages quietly in peace. Not intending to turn away from his vices, Dale nonetheless becomes the project of a French fan (François Cluzet) who tries to help him fight his alcoholism, ultimately inspiring both Dale and his music.

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Round Midnight

Round Midnight

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Critics Consensus

Brought brilliantly to life by Dexter Gordon's outstanding performance, Round Midnight is the rare jazz-inflected drama that matches the power of the music.

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Critics Reviews

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Richard Brody The New Yorker Gordon’s performance conveys something else that’s all too rare in movies of musicians—namely, joy. It’s a serene and lofty joy, with an element of wry detachment and even self-deprecation built in, but it’s vitally present nonetheless. Feb 16, 2024 Full Review Clayton Dillard Slant Magazine The beacon of ’Round Midnight is Dexter Gordon’s performance. May 20, 2022 Full Review Tim Pulleine Guardian A wonderfully detailed performance by a real jazz musician, Dexter Gordon. Oct 27, 2021 Full Review Nicholas Bell IONCINEMA.com ‘Round Midnight succeeds as a composite of jazz and its tormented originators thanks to the inspired casting and improvisational skills of real-life bebop musician Dexter Gordon. Rated: 3.5/5 Jul 28, 2022 Full Review Jas Keimig The Stranger (Seattle, WA) Though I think Dale sometimes has a whiff of the inscrutable Magical Negro, Gordon plays him with so much charm and nuance that he becomes fully fleshed-out character. And by God, the music! Dec 9, 2021 Full Review Philip French Observer (UK) Romantic without being sentimental, the picture has a marvelous look and sound and feel. Oct 27, 2021 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Audience Member I have never forgotten this movie. It really impressed me as did Dexter Gordon. Have seen it twice and would love to watch it again. :o) Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/09/23 Full Review Audience Member When the jazzman is signifyin', and the band is windin' low It's the late night side of morning in the darkness of his soul He can fill a room with sadness as he fills his horn with tears He can cry like a fallen angel when risin' time is near Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/30/23 Full Review Audience Member Sensitive and inspiring flick from a time when movies used to be about human beings and not politics. A must watch even if you're not a Jazzhead (thou you may become one after watching this). Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/18/23 Full Review Audience Member What an amazing performance from Dexter Gordon. He was nominated for Best Actor in 1987. Any fan of Jazz music should appreciate the nice story and great soundtrack. The story is a little slow and simple, but the music kept me going. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/26/23 Full Review steve d Unless you are really into the music there isn't a lot here. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review Audience Member It's just another musician in deline movie. I found it boring and I didn't think the music was all that good, although the music being second rate may have been to show his alcoholism's effect. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 02/06/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Round Midnight

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Cast & Crew

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Bertrand Tavernier

Director

Dexter Gordon

Dale Turner

François Cluzet

Francis Borler

Gabrielle Haker

Berangere

Sandra Reaves-Phillips

Buttercup

Lonette McKee

Darcey Leigh

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Round Midnight

Round Midnight (1986) Round Midnight (1986) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis In the 1950s, Dale Turner (Dexter Gordon), a gifted black saxophonist with a drinking problem, leaves behind New York and his estranged family and relocates to Paris. There he plays for a progressive, jazz-loving audience without being judged by his race, and ages quietly in peace. Not intending to turn away from his vices, Dale nonetheless becomes the project of a French fan (François Cluzet) who tries to help him fight his alcoholism, ultimately inspiring both Dale and his music.
Director
Bertrand Tavernier
Producer
Irwin Winkler
Production Co
Little Bear [fr]
Rating
R
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Sep 12, 1986, Original
Rerelease Date (Theaters)
Oct 3, 1986
Release Date (DVD)
Jan 30, 2001
Box Office (Gross USA)
$2.7M
Runtime
2h 10m
Sound Mix
Surround, Stereo
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