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Born to Be Blue (15)

Biography, Drama, Music

A re-imagining of jazz legend Chet Baker's musical comeback in the late '60s.

The critical consensus

Posterity offers two wildly contrasting images of jazz trumpeter Chet Baker. This partially fictionalised biopic from Canadian writer-director Robert Budreau does justice to both of them.

****(*)Geoffrey MacNab, The Independent, 20/07/2016

In this watchable biopic, the troubled jazz trumpeter makes a tempestuous comeback, embracing drugs, sex, fame – and music.

***(*)(*)Peter Bradshaw, The Guardian, 21/07/2016

The period detail is richly textured; however the music – Hawke attempts to recreate Baker’s laconic vocal style – seems a little thin and unpersuasive.

***(*)(*)Wendy Ide, The Observer, 24/07/2016

Framed with smoky cinematography from Steve Cosens, the result is a cool, crucial indie of the sort that now feels all too rare.

****(*)James Mottram, The List, 25/07/2016

Hawke makes it feel truthful in a way that conventional music biopics rarely manage.

***(*)(*)Alistair Harkness, The Scotsman, 27/07/2016

A tough, uncompromising take on a jazz legend, lifted by a never-been-better Ethan Hawke — an early contender for Best Actor consideration come awards season.

****(*)Liz Beardsworth, Empire Online, 29/07/2016

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