Born to be Blue

IFC Films | Release Date: March 25, 2016

6.5	USER SCORE Generally favorable reviews based on 34 Ratings

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BHBarryApr 12, 2016

"Born to be Blue" stars Ethan Hawke and Carmen Ejogo in this film written and produced by Robert Budreau. This is the story of Chet Baker, the famous jazz trumpeter who in the mid 20th Century captivated jazz audiences and fellow musicians"Born to be Blue" stars Ethan Hawke and Carmen Ejogo in this film written and produced by Robert Budreau. This is the story of Chet Baker, the famous jazz trumpeter who in the mid 20th Century captivated jazz audiences and fellow musicians until his consumption with heroin destroyed him. Although the film moves at a rather slow pace and is unevenly edited, it nevertheless serves as a vehicle for Mr. Hawke who gives an extraordinary performance as the ill fated musician. It also gives an insight into the music business and the lives of those who lived and played in midtown Manhattan where this music genre found its life and audience. I give the film a 7.0 and recommend it especially for those who were aware of and listened to this great talent.… Expand

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LynApr 6, 2017

Subtle, understated and bleak, this is another story about the intersection of music and addiction. It doesn't quite paint a complete picture of either, in Chet Baker's case. But Ethan Hawke gives his usual stellar portrayal of nervousSubtle, understated and bleak, this is another story about the intersection of music and addiction. It doesn't quite paint a complete picture of either, in Chet Baker's case. But Ethan Hawke gives his usual stellar portrayal of nervous energy, insecurity and underlying pain. A brief view of his family back in Oklahoma hints at the origins of all those ... not that it mitigates the frustration you feel at another tremendous talent ravaged by addiction. Haunting though it is, I don't think the music in the film matches up to Baker's. But its greatest achievement might be sending people to Baker's recordings -- or at least to YouTube -- which I promise you will be a beautiful, if melancholy, experience.… Expand

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SpangleOct 15, 2016

Far from your typical musical biopic, Born to Be Blue tells the tragic tale of jazz legend Chet Baker. Plagued with heroin addiction, but blessed with a musical gift, Baker is a truly tragic figure brought to life by Ethan Hawke. With a knackFar from your typical musical biopic, Born to Be Blue tells the tragic tale of jazz legend Chet Baker. Plagued with heroin addiction, but blessed with a musical gift, Baker is a truly tragic figure brought to life by Ethan Hawke. With a knack for telling a quality story that adequately blends Baker's earlier days with the beginning of his resurgence, Born to Be Blue manages to feel wholly unique in its biographical approach to a story that is largely pretty typical in the musical biopic subgenre.

In all of these films, a talented musician cheats on his women and does drugs to the point of being a hopeless addict. Scenes of adultery and drug use are juxtaposed with that musician turning in tremendous performance after tremendous performance. The end result is a heart wrenching look at the marriage of abuse and talent. Born to Be Blue touches on a lot of these same notes, but is largely quite unique. With flashbacks taken from a film about his own life done by Baker (Hawke) put shoulder-to-shoulder with scenes from the "modern" day of Baker making his comeback, the film's narrative never feels stale. Instead, its focus on his drug abuse feels largely in-reflection as he tries to move past it. Yet, at the same time, it shows the siren call of the drugs and the feeling of inadequacy that haunts musicians who have convinced themselves they need the drugs to perform. While he most certainly still battles drug use in the "modern" day, the musings and explanation as to why it is addictive (beyond it being just naturally addictive) to talented musicians elevates Born to Be Blue above classic musician biopics. It does not just show him using drugs, which would be deeply affecting on its own. Instead, it takes it a step further and shows him doing drugs, while explaining why he uses them, which practically rips your heart out.

In the lead role, Ethan Hawke is tremendous. I do not know if it was his real singing voice (I assume the trumpet was not him, maybe I am wrong), but he was terrific. Even if none of the music was him, his performance was still terrific. He really brings Baker to you and makes you feel empathy for him as you watch his downfall, rise, and self-medication. From his portrayal, Hawke makes the viewer root for Baker, even if you know he will trip and fall over-and-over again.

Visually, the film is very good. With lush blue hues touching many of the shots, Born to Be Blue imbues the film with the sadness and heartache felt by Baker. As he performs, the film is most prominently covered with blue, showcasing how something that should bring him so much instead brings so much agony given the self-doubt and addiction that haunts him as a result. The jazz music score itself even proves quite haunting at times with solemn notes accompanying many scenes.

As a whole, Born to Be Blue is a pretty good film with a killer lead performance from Ethan Hawke, as well as terrific use of color and a unique approach to a well-trodden tale of drug abuse by musicians.… Expand

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LeZeeAug 4, 2016

Behind this man's success there was a woman and other things.

This is not a bad semi-biographical music-drama with a little romance in it, but many of us have no idea of its existence because it is not a Hollywood. For me it was just anBehind this man's success there was a woman and other things.

This is not a bad semi-biographical music-drama with a little romance in it, but many of us have no idea of its existence because it is not a Hollywood. For me it was just an above average, because of the first 30 minutes. In those narrations it was very boring, you know a film needs a good opening and this film's first impression failed. But next one hour, till the final scene was much better. Except I hated the whispering dialogues which this film had everywhere.

I don't know who is Chet Baker, thanks to this film for introducing him to me. This story is no special compared to other biopics related to music and singing. Like fame and drugs taking over the career where one struggles to rise back from the fall. This is the same old crap, except it is a jazz theme, but everything was lightly portrayed without making much complication. I mean it centres only on the romance and music, everything else was never given preference. Except in parts where the couple seeks support from the outside world like the opportunities and meeting their parents.

The film focused only a certain stage of the life of Chet. It is very sad not knowing his earlier life as well as his Europe settlement in the later on which looks much more interesting than what they narrated in this. Ethan Hawke was great as usual and so his co-stars. There's no harm for once viewing, but some people feel it more depressing than enjoyable or entertaining. So the film is for the selected audience and make sure you're one of them before going for it.

6/10… Expand

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smiyamotAug 21, 2016

Another story about the insecure musician (Miles Davis, Johnny Cash, Hank Williams) who needs drugs or alcohol to perform at his best. Is it their parents who ingrained the insecurity that plagued them all their lives? Don't know, the movieAnother story about the insecure musician (Miles Davis, Johnny Cash, Hank Williams) who needs drugs or alcohol to perform at his best. Is it their parents who ingrained the insecurity that plagued them all their lives? Don't know, the movie didn't get into it.… Expand

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amheretojudgeApr 1, 2019

Art Over Anything.

Born To Be Blue Budreau is reaching for something beyond his reach. After the dust settles, it somehow might be beneficial for him, but there is a void so remarkably unavoidable that sucks out all the fun from the roomArt Over Anything.

Born To Be Blue

Budreau is reaching for something beyond his reach. After the dust settles, it somehow might be beneficial for him, but there is a void so remarkably unavoidable that sucks out all the fun from the room decimated by Ethan Hawke as Chet Baker humming couple of tunes. Its greatest trick that the entire structure hinges upon isn't its best asset, if anything it might be off putting, the tease in the game is meant for a greater appeal and not the punch line of the joke. Fortunately, the screenwriter and director, Robert Budreau wins long before the last act is staged.

The real romance of the film actually looks like a long hand of tennis match, where both Hawke and Carmen Ejogo keeps ping pong-ing each other for the laughs and attention. But amidst all that, the caped approval of both these actors is what makes us nod into their rhythm. This fast paced screenplay is enfolding layer by layer with a steady pace but unfortunately there isn't anything in the next page, so informative or bedazzling enough to sync the level of maturity the performance has to offer.

Hawke in his red unblinking eyes and crooked teeth, expresses loneliness in his body language even when he shares the screen with his better half. As much as reserved Hawke is, Ejogo is equally generous, she puts a lot into the table, competent for both of them, their chemistry is like of a 50 year old married couple in the very honeymoon period of their relationship. Contrary to popular belief, Budreau's world is the apt anecdote of the mixture of art and social lifestyle which it manages to teeter throughout the film. Born To Be Blue has the lyrics for the Ethan Hawke, by the Ethan Hawke and of the Ethan Hawke- it doesn't always have to make sense.… Expand

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CinemaxFeb 11, 2018

Es una película sobre la vida del genial tompetista Chet Baker, si bien es cierto que esta película es tu primer contacto con este músico no te habrá sorprendido su vida, ya que solo cuenta una estrecha parte de ella. Para los demás que si loEs una película sobre la vida del genial tompetista Chet Baker, si bien es cierto que esta película es tu primer contacto con este músico no te habrá sorprendido su vida, ya que solo cuenta una estrecha parte de ella. Para los demás que si lo hayan conocido anteriormente, seguramente les haya respondido a un par de cuestiones. Aun así creo que estas películas biográficas relatan la inseguridad de los protagonistas, solventándolas con drogas. Algo que no creo que sea real. Ya que ni Mile Davis ni Johnny Cash tuvieran algún problema de seguridad en el escenario. Por lo que creo que en esta parte, esta profundamente equivocada.
Por el elenco de la película y sus interpretaciones solo debo aplaudir.… Expand

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DawdlingPoetNov 28, 2021

First off, it didn't take me long to notice that the dialogue was frustratingly hushed almost from the get-go. Some dialogue I couldn't quite catch - it almost warrants subtitles at times, as the speech is so both quiet/subdued and spokenFirst off, it didn't take me long to notice that the dialogue was frustratingly hushed almost from the get-go. Some dialogue I couldn't quite catch - it almost warrants subtitles at times, as the speech is so both quiet/subdued and spoken somewhat fast - thats something thats a bit of a bugbear with me.

Its a somewhat understated film but I suppose due to that, I felt the plot seemed a little thing at times. The main performance by Ethan Hawke as Chet Baker is pretty good, although I wouldn't say any of the other performances stood out especially. The music is pleasant enough - what you'd expect, I suppose, of jazz music from the 50s and 60s or thereabouts. I guess you could say it has a bit of style in terms of some of the flashback scenes of Chet performing at shows in the past, presumably during his heyday, appearing in black and white. Its not a bad watch as such but it didn't entirely work for me, personally.… Expand

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Gamzguy17Aug 21, 2021

A commendable performance by Ethan Hawke as the cool jazz great is not enough to carry a screenplay that decides to gloss Chet Baker as another cliché artist with an addiction problem coupled with romance issues.

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