Oops! They did it again...

Round Midnight presents some of the same issues we've had to face with other films we've watched in class. I'll start with the narrative. Although there were times when the movie was quiet entertaining, the over all narrative seemed very disjointed. It was often difficult to follow the action--especially as oftentimes it seemed that there really was no "action," but more a stringing-together of performances and "happenings" (?). The overall pace of the narrative only made it more difficult to follow. It was very slow, something that Dexter Gordon's perfomance heightened. Maybe it did not make it difficult to follow as much as it made it difficult to stay interested.

What I did find interesting was the use of the black and white "home movie" motif used intermittently throughout the film. Clearly, its goal was to provide the movie with a "documentary" feel, to lend the story more authenticity and ground it reality. I thought it managed that quite well.

The presence of the white male protagonist was also something that this week's film had in common with previous films we've watched. In Round Midnight, it is a white man that comes to the rescue. I thought it was interesting that our Frenchman, Francis, is able to acchieve what the black community cannot. It is only after Francis takes Dale to live with him that Dale is able to take control of his drinking, become financially responsible, and press on artistically. I also feel that Francis' interests in Dale are somewhat selfish. It seems like the reason it is so important that Dale succeed, is because without Dale's inspiring music, Francis cannot be successful--something clearly depicted in the movie.

The depiction of Dale Turner is altogether discomforting. This incredibly talented musician, who is able to create music that inspires art in others, is treated like a child--and depicted as such. Even in the previous films we've seen before where jazz artists are portrayed as needing "supervision," I feel that it is not as extreme as this film shows. Take Billie Holiday, for example. Even though "Lady Sings the Blues" clearly showed her as being dependent on her relationship with her husband, people didn't feel like they couldn't keep her out their sight. That is not the case with Dale Turner. In the film, Buttercup states it frankly, "you're like a child," she says, "can't let you out of my sight for a second." (or something to that effect).

On the up side, Herbie Hancock's score was beautiful. :)

All in all, I felt the point that the film was trying to get across was that bebop is an artform that should be appreciated and respected. Dale Turner's final monologue expresses the entire premise of the film.