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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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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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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