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

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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.

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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).

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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