Paris Blues (1961)
-
63% of critics liked it
(8 reviews) -
69% of users liked it
(512 ratings)
The second film of director Martin Ritt with both Paul Newmanand Sidney Poitier, it's set in a city that has long been a haven for black musicians eager to escape the racism of the U.S. Newman is Ram Bowen, a trombone player who makes his living in a jazz group, which also includes tenor man… More The second film of director Martin Ritt with both Paul Newmanand Sidney Poitier, it's set in a city that has long been a haven for black musicians eager to escape the racism of the U.S. Newman is Ram Bowen, a trombone player who makes his living in a jazz group, which also includes tenor man Eddie Cook (Sidney Poitier), while studying music and aspiring to a career as a "serious" composer. Eddie stays in Paris to bask in the respect that its people feel for his music, a respect rarely accorded him in the States. A pair of tourists, Connie Lampson (Diahann Carroll) and Lillian Corning (Joanne Woodward) arrive in the city for a two-week vacation, and the two musicians lose no time in hooking up. Soon both relationships take a serious turn and the musicians are forced to make some important decisions about the possibility of returning to their native soil. ~ Michael Costello, Rovi
- Directed By
- Martin Ritt
- Written By
- Walter Bernstein, Harold Flender, Jack Sher, Irene Kamp, Lulla Adler
- Genres
- Drama, Romance
Unrated,
- In Theaters
- Jan 1, 1998 Wide
Critic Reviews
-
, TIME Magazine
All it lacks is something to pull these parts into a sensible whole.
-
Variety Staff, Variety
Within its snappy, flashy veneer is an undernourished romantic drama of a rather traditional screen school.
-
Cole Smithey, ColeSmithey.com
Louis Armstrong lends his legendary horn to great effect in a musical sequence in this classic gem of a movie.
-
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
A low key, plotless but charming film that benefits from its appealing cast, Paul Newman, Joanne Woodward, Sidney Poitier and Diahann Carroll, on location shooting in Paris, and Oscar-nominated jazz music from Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington.
-
Shawn Levy, Oregonian
Newman is terrific in the picture, running both hot and cool, but he's upstaged by Woodward, who delivers stunning and surprising emotion in the final scenes. It's really worth seeing.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
Featured Audience Ratings
Currently unavailable on Flixster
Also available on
Other Retailers
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Subscription Services
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Cast
-
Paul Newman
as Ram Bowen
-
Joanne Woodward
as Lillian Corning
-
Sidney Poitier
as Eddie Cook
-
Louis Armstrong
as Wild Man Moore
-
Diahann Carroll
as Connie Lampson
-
Serge Reggiani
as Michel Duvigne
-
Barbara Laage
as Marie Seoul
-
Andre Luguet
as Rene Bernard
-
Marie Versini
as Nicole
-
Moustache
as Drummer
-
Aaron Bridgers
as Pianist
-
Guy Pederson
as Bass Player
-
Roger Blin
as Gypsy Guitarist
-
Helene Dieudonne
as the Pusher
-
Niko
as Ricardo
-
Marķa Elena Velasco
as Pianist
