Spike Lee directs Denzel Washington, Wesley Snipes and himself in this drama where a jazz musician’s inability to appreciate those around him heralds his downfall.

Spike Lee’s Raging Bull… only in vivid colour. Denzel gives one of finest performances, playing against type as a thoroughly unlikable genius. Snipes also gets to do a fair bit of acting… and you don’t see that very often after this point in his career. Spike may reach out at a lot of ideas in his follow up to Do The Right Thing (gambling addiction, systemic exploitation of black talent, fatherhood) but this is somehow his most focussed work. An excellent celebration of jazz and an engaging, satisfying character study.

8

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