Mo' Better Blues

by Spike Lee

Documents the making of the movie "Mo' Better Blues," a film that captures the lives and traditions of the great jazz musicians, in a volume that includes the film's script and production notes

Genres: Media Tie In, Film, Fiction

304 pages, Paperback

First published August 15, 1990

About the author

Shelton Jackson Lee, better known as Spike Lee, is an Emmy Award - winning, and Academy Award - nominated American film director, producer, writer, and actor noted for his films dealing with controversial social and political issues. He also teaches film at New York University and Columbia University. His production company, 40 Acres & A Mule Filmworks, has produced over 35 films since 1983.

Reviews

[Rhea Daniel Dear · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was fascinated with this movie making book. The cover invited me in. Denzel Washington looking all young with two beautiful black women heroines very close to him and Spike actually offering an extended hand and a bowing down like a showman inviting you into some intoxicating entertainment.

And I got drunk on this slim book and then sobered at its depth. I discovered it on a crowded bookshelf and I examined it late one night and kept flipping and reading until I was rereading it early the next morning.

I remembered the movie and was reminded of what I’d forgotten. I was taught what I didn’t even know I needed to learn. But the book from cover to cover, like the movie, Mo Better Blues, like John Coltrane’s “A Love Supreme” gives that feeling that all the varied pieces fit right together into excitement, energy, sorrow, complicated situations and genius answers.

[Patrick Howard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Behind the scenes of what quickly established itself as one of my favorite movies ever. Criminally underrated amongst Spike’s canon & the films of the 90s, I’d say it’s right alongside Malcolm X although obviously less thematically/culturally potent. Spike is a strong writer with a clear & consistent journalistic record of his filmmaking experience, which is always compelling.