The movie “Round Midnight”
I thought the muted trumpet playing in the title background was quite good. But when I listened to it closely…what? It’s a human voice! Yes, that’s right. This was the movie on which first time I heard Bobby McFerrin’s singing.
I must have watched the VHS tape of this movie hundreds of times. It is the story of the friendship between Dale Turner, an old saxophonist played by Dexter Gordon, and Francis, an unsuccessful illustrator. It’s a groovy film with plenty of scenes of them playing in an underground jazz club in Paris. One rainy night, Francis has no money and can’t get into the club. He is soaking wet and listening to Turner’s music leaking from the club on the side of the road. He lives alone in a small apartment with a small daughter to take care of. Francis tells his daughter, Bérangère, how wonderful Turner’s performance was. One day, after a performance at the club, Dale Turner, whom he admires, talks to Francis, “Can you buy me a drink?”. Turner hit it off and decided to let Francis come in and out of the club freely as a friend from that day on. Pianist Eddie (Herbie Hancock) forbids Turner to drink alcohol while he plays, because Turner is not allowed to be seen when he is drunk. This is because Turner had a bad habit of disappearing when he was drunk. One day, as usual, Turner gets drunk and disappears, and is rushed to the hospital. Francis takes care of Turner at home. They travel together to Lyon, Francis’ hometown, where they are welcomed by his parents. One day after returning to Paris, Turner tells Francis, “I think it’s time for me to go home. Francis travels with Turner to New York, where not only Turner’s daughter “Chan” but also a drug dealer awaits him.
