Much of the film has profanity, obscenity, nudity, promiscuity, and graphic sexual scenes. The Christian movie-going public, however, does not need to see MO’ BETTER BLUES to realize that point. A quote from John Coltrane appears before the film credits indicating that God’s hand and purpose shows through in all things, working somehow. Family values and the continuity of life emerge as triumphant themes that shape relationships and careers, thus bringing meaning into shallow lives. Then, in the last half, the story threads are pulled taut to reveal the purpose of all that came before. There is so much dialogue one wonders where it all is heading. Though it is rich in thoughts, moods and feelings, it is short on storytelling. In the end, all these lives are turned upside down, though most make something of themselves because of good friends and family, as well as talent and hard work.ĭespite the creative genius displayed by Spike Lee, the film’s first half takes a little patience. The club owners are happy just to add up profits. Clarke, an aspiring singer, also demands that Bleek make more of an effort to include her in his life, but wants her own success as well.īleek’s manager, Giant, and the band, the Bleek Quintet, want to enjoy success and whatever else life has to offer. Indigo, a soft-spoken elementary schoolteacher, wants a quiet life with Bleek. He plays around with both his girlfriends, but has little room in his life for either one. Bleek is self-centered, and doesn’t give it a second thought. Now the film starts to probe Bleek’s soul. Bleek becomes good, extremely good, so that by his twenties, he has his own band, poised on the verge of major success. In fact, Bleek’s Mom sees that he practices his trumpet before playing with friends. The trumpet player, who is on the verge of hitting the big time, is forced to choose between his trumpet and the two women he loves.īleek is born and reared in Brooklyn by middle-class parents who care a great deal about him. Abandoning the hatred and racial issues that permeated his last film, DO THE RIGHT THING, director-producer-writer Spike Lee focuses specifically on the life and times of Bleek Gilliam, a fictional but ambitious black jazz trumpeter, in MO’ BETTER BLUES.