Born to be Blue (2015, Canada/UK) 97 mins, cert. 15

Screenings at 2.30 and 7.30pm

 Director: Robert Budreau

Stars: Ethan Hawke, Carmen Ejogo, Callum Keith Rennie, Stephen McHattie

A stirring, unvarnished portrait of jazz legend Chet Baker’s career.

Budreau eschews the conventional biopic model by focusing on the trumpeter’s comeback attempt in the late ’60s (similar, in approach, to Don Cheadle’s Miles Ahead, well received at David Lean a couple of months ago).

Hawke delivers a first-class performance portraying Baker at a time in his life when he is hired to play himself in a film about his earlier years. This ‘retrospective-within-a-retrospecive’ offers an insight into Baker’s struggle with heroin addiction – a battle that would contribute to his death, destroy his career and sever his relationships.

This Review from the Telegraph: here, ambles off into a discussion of jazz films in general,

while the Trailer can be seen below:

[fvplayer src=”https://vimeo.com/173486619″]

David Lean Cinema, Croydon on Thursday 22 September 2016

Shows start at 2.30PM or 7.30PM, Ticket prices: £8.50 & £6.50 (concessions)

Click on time above to make a booking