SparkMore n my opinion it was a great movie with some interesting elements, even though having some plot holes and the ending probably was just too messy and crammed together, but still fun to watch and not your casual movie that is similar to all other ones.

Merolliv I really wanted to like this movie. I feel terribly cynical trashing it, and that's why I'm giving it a middling 5. Actually, I'm giving it a 5 because there were some superb performances.

Lollivan It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.

Paynbob It’s fine. It's literally the definition of a fine movie. You’ve seen it before, you know every beat and outcome before the characters even do. Only question is how much escapism you’re looking for.

rodrig58 If you love jazz music, Paris, Paul Newman, Louis Armstrong, Sidney Poitier and Joanne Woodward, then this movie is perfect. The story is very simple and very stylish and ingeniously filmed. All the merit of Martin Ritt, the director, and Christian Matras, cinematographer. Music by Duke Ellington, who is the true pianist, along with eight other non-credited musicians.

bennyraldak A not-so-well-known but great movie by Martin Ritt starring Paul Newman. Famous for their collaborations on "Hombre" ('67) and "Hud" ('62), Ritt and Newman first worked together on the jazz-movie "Paris Blues". The story of jazzmusician Ram Bowen (Newman) and his friend and musical partner Eddie (Sydney Poitier). A truthfull and intimate depiction of a passionate musician hanging on to his beliefs and principles when he finds himself in a romance with a beautiful woman who wants them to be together. Like Ram says: 'music is my life, everything else is just the icing on the cake'. But of course things seem to be a little tougher when confronted with the reality of life, in a situation where he finds himself very much attracted to this girl.A great picture about a man who is so passionate and involved with his music; his art, that all the ordinary needs and desires of life seem to pass him by. A somewhat tragic story of a talented man who dreams of making it big, but in the course of the movie comes to understand that he is a lightweight, and will never be a heavyweight. Paul Newman is 'on top of his game', but so is Sydney Poitier, who even surprised me more with his minimalistic, real approach to his acting and the character. Another leadcharacter is the great jazzmusic that almost fills the picture wall to wall, but is never in your face when it doesn't need to be. This is most definitely one of my favorite jazz-movies, of which there aren't much, I might add. Spike Lee's "Mo' better blues" ('90) was always my favorite and seems to be heavily influenced by this picture. So is Clint Estwood's "Bird" ('88). Ritt might be the first director to do a real and worthy depiction of a musician with this wonderful picture. All the acting is great, the black & white cinematography is gorgeous, the music is great, the locations/sets are very romantic and dramatic, and the story is tragically beautiful and very human.I just found there's one more film collaboration of Ritt and Newman, "The Outrage" ('64). Their first take on the western genre; very eager to see that picture...

secretdomineux I tried to comment on this good film when it was on TCM a couple of days ago. I liked all of the comments except the derisive remarks regarding Ellington, and Strayhorn's relationship, but I digress. Queencheryl, You are right to wonder about the love affairs presented to us in the film. I've read (Music Is My Mistress) that Ellington was primarily interested in the project because the film WAS to have Ms. Carroll and Mr. Newman's characters "getting together" as the main story, and was very disappointed to find out after he...and Strayhorn had written and, worked the scoring, the producers chickened out and changed the screenplay. The music and the on screen appearances of Armstrong are the stars for me. Walking in Paris is cliché, but not doing that there, is like not going to Fisherman's wharf when visiting here. AND WHAT CITY TO HAVE WALKED IN!

mike dewey This is not merely a movie about race, jazz, drug use, love affairs, Parisian scenery, etc. It's a movie about all the aforementioned and then some. Ritt & Co. go deeper than just superficially touching on so-called hip, trendy issues. Each character portrayed has his/her own set of "blues" to contend with and no individual set of "blues" is merely confined to one sole issue, but rather a complex mixture of many factors that comprise each of our character's makeup. It is in the intertwining of each character's individual persona with the other characters' own traits and idiosyncrasies that lets the story unfold and take cohesive shape. Successes and failures are inextricably linked, as in Ram's (Newman) fame as a jazz soloist counterpointed with his rejection as a serious composer/arranger. Eddie (Poitier) also has his own set of personal conflicts that are duly explored here.Joanne Wodward, Diahann Carrol and Barbara Laage (in a more minor role, albeit soulful and penetrating) all hit their mark with humor, depth and candor. Serge Reggiani's role as the junkie guitar player adds his own set of "blues" to an already spicy mixture of music, love, rejection and pathos. "Satchmo" and company provide a most welcome musical interlude at just the right time to lighten up the plot just a bit!A timelessly entertaining film.