Rating: 
Summary: No middle ground
Review: I find it curious that in all the reviews of "Round Midnight" that there is virtually no middle ground. People either loved the movie (most) while others hated it. I suspect those that didn't like the movie are devotees of fusion and fail to appreciate the jazz of the 1950's. Gordon while not the "topical" character of the film, lived this story as an expatriated saxphonist. He brings a reality to the picture that is lacking in similar ventures such as "Bird". While I think "Bird" is too an outstanding film, the reality of watching the music being created live is not there. This film shames efforts like "Lady Sings the Blues" because of its stark reality. There is no glossing over and memorializing Dale Turner in the movie. He's there with all his warts for all the world to see. This wasn't a star vehicle like "Lady..." was for Ross. This may be the most honest film ever made.
Rating:
Summary: Come and celebrate the music!
Review: If you've ever been in a small, smoke filled club, oh, 'round about midnight, when the beauty of the jazz being played brings absolute tears to your eyes, well, you'll know why this film is so special. Jazz itself swims in the river of risk, and director Bertrand Tavernier jumps in feet first. Instead of using regular actors to play the parts of these creative people, he does it one better and uses the musicians themselves to tell the story. Starring the remarkable late tenorman Dexter Gordon, we follow the story of a 1950's american jazzman in Paris who is on the slow decline to destruction until he his befriended by a local fan, played wonderfully by Francois Cluzet. Dexter was not the only musician to grace the screen. Others such as Bobby Hutcherson, Herbie Hancock, Billy Higgins, Wayne Shorter, Ron Carter, and several others not only provided the music in the film but many played pivotal roles as well. This use of musician that have been there, done that brings a special "realness" that could never have come across by using regular actors. On a side note, this film was unique in quite another way. Almost all of the music that you see being performed in the movie was actually being played and recorded right on the stage. In nearly every other movie the music is rerecorded at a later date in order to take out any "mistakes". This just shows the lengths that director Tavernier was willing to go to bring the true spirit of jazz to the screen. In ending, this film, like jazz itself, will probably not be for everyone. However, if you pass up the chance to see this film you will miss the chance to add two hours of magic to your life!
Rating:
Summary: Great Movie
Review: This is a wonderful, moving story about one of the great tenor players in jazz. Highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: Over and Over
Review: I am hypnotized by this movie, its characters and its story. It felt so real to me, it was like I was there with them. The sound track is powerful, beautiful and is an integral part of the movie itself. The story is told as much through the music as the dialog. Dexter Gordon was tremendous. I truly "felt his pain". I watch it over and over....
Rating: 
Summary: Jazz in slow motion
Review: I'm a huge jazz fan, but this film was so absolutely boring that I turned it off about halfway through. I couldn't bear to hear Dexter Gordon slowly mumble one more line. Very dissapointed in this purchase.
Rating:
Summary: annoying voice of Dexter Gordon.
Review: Dexter Gordon's voice is terrible to hear all allong this movie. The French actor plays a stupid fanatic who forgets he has a life. This whole story might be true but the voice is terrible and the rythm of the movie is sloooow. I bought this movie because of your review but after I had seen it I returned it to the store to exchanged it. Compare this movie to Bird or Mo better blues and you will give those two movies a 10. With all due respect to Dexter Gordon's musical genius, Tavernier should have chosen an actor with a better voice. Typical french movies, they throw things at you that you must like because it is supposed to be deep and intellectual. Wrong. as Serge Dassault inventor of the Mirage jet fighter once said: " a plane can be technically the best, but without beauty it isn't a plane.
Rating:
Summary: Happiness is a nice, wet, Rico reed.
Review: Some movies are meant to entertain, others are meant to be thoughtful. Yes, this movie moves slow, but I think that it's meant to mimic the pace of our own daily experiences. Dale and Francois are meant to be, perhaps, uncomfortably real, hence they each have their disturbing flaws. (Incidently, I don't count Dexter Gordon's voice as a flaw... it came with the great musician. Get over it.) Still, I found myself endeared to both. Lots of metaphores thorughout the movie between music, music making and living. The music is great, if not something of an anachronism. There are many scenes that seem unecessary, but I think they are unexplained elements that are, perhaps, meant for us to interpret for ourselves. This move is constructed differently than most, so I urge you not to apply the same criteria you would other movies. It's like looking at a painting for a long time and coming away with your own meaning. Probably the most artistic movie in my collection to date.
Rating:
Summary: Real emotions from real characters
Review: This touching and realistic movie is quietly dedicated to jazz pianist Bud Powell and saxophonnist Lester Young (both expatiriates who lived in Paris) on whose life the character of "Dale Turner," the saxophonist, is based. The character of Dale Turner, a jazzman in his last days, is played by Dexter Gordon, a jazzman soon to die of throat cancer. Dexter Gordon, a real-life expatriot jazzman who spent much of his playing years in Denmark, deservedly received an academy award nomination for his moving portrayal based on not only a real life story but people and settings with which he was personally familiar. In many ways it is the story of all three musicians, Gordon, Powell and Young. But even more it is based on a fine book on the life of Bud Powell by the young Frenchman who befriended him (which I cannot put my hands on right now). It's as close to truth as you can come. By the way, Dexter played Montreux the next year and while he sounds fragile in the film, he play with great strength.
Rating: 
Summary: Not Very Realistic But Quite Enjoyable
Review: Yes, it's annoying that the plot hadda have some idealistic and passionate white French guy offer salvation to the tortured and irresponsible Negro jazz musician, but the movie is an enjoyable character study. Dexter Gordon gives an undeniably riveting portrayal of the quintissential jazz cat and the climactic outdoor memorial concert is great.
Rating:
Summary: The Best
Review: This is one of the best movies I have ever seen. Wish I could get it on DVD for my collection. If you've seen it once, you will watch it again and again.
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