Born to Be Blue. 2015.
Directed by Robert Budreau
Starring Ethan Hawke, Carmen Ejogo, Callum Keith Rennie and Kevin Hanchard
SYNOPSIS:
A period biopic – which openly takes liberties with the truth – on jazz musician Chet Baker’s addictions, love affairs and struggles with creativity.
There’s a moment in Born to Be Blue when Ethan Hawke, as Chet Baker, tenderly picks up his trumpet in a New York club and softly plays ‘My Funny Valentine’. It’s soulful and captivating, revealing a deeply vulnerable side to the famous musician.
Often called the ‘James Dean of jazz’, Baker’s looks and talent made him a celebrated trumpeter in the 1950s and 1960s. But his substance abuse rivalled his passion for music, resulting in a fierce heroin habit which contributed to his death at the age of 58. Baker’s addictions landed him in jail in Italy and even saw him deported from West Germany. Most shockingly, in 1966, he was beaten up after a gig in California while allegedly attempting to buy drugs and sustained severe cuts on the lips and broken front teeth. The injuries stopped him from performing until he was fitted with dentures some time later.
Inspired by Baker’s battle with his demons, Born to Be Blue focuses on a specific period, taking much more creative liberty than a traditional biopic would. Eschewing the typical cradle-to-grave format, director Robert Budreau re-imagines the star’s comeback and romances after financial loss and public disgrace.
In the early scenes, Baker is released from a stark prison cell in Italy by a Hollywood producer on the condition that he plays himself in a movie about his own life (apparently a similar offer was made in real-life). His leading lady Jane (Carmen Ejogo) initially resists his flirtation, however, love does blossom and the pair stick together following the project’s demise and Baker’s brutal assault.
Despite Baker’s heroin addiction and stalled career, Jane provides unwavering support through the couple’s ups and downs. She stands by her man as Baker tries to get clean by replacing smack with methadone, relearns the trumpet with his new embouchure and convinces his sceptical manager to let him return to the spotlight.
Ethan Hawke has always been a charismatic screen presence, and Born to Be Blue hinges on his ability to portray effortlessly cool and tragic mess and everything in between. It’s the kind of role that could generate awards season buzz. Sadly Carmen Ejogo’s character falls into the generic long-suffering wife category, which obviously provides less room for the same fire and sparkle.
Budreau, also the screenwriter, certainly packs Born to Be Blue with style and flair, though the film tends to coast along rather than reach a crescendo. Like I Saw the Light, another 2016 musical biopic, the script doesn’t fully sell its subject as relevant and particularly unique. Self-destructive male artists are a dime a dozen and audiences may come away with a sense of deja-vu.
Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★ ★
Sara Hemrajani
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https://youtu.be/b7Ozs5mj5ao?list=PL18yMRIfoszEaHYNDTy5C-cH9Oa2gN5ng
Originally published July 24, 2016. Updated April 15, 2018.
