'Round Midnight

Set in Paris in 1959, Round Midnight follows Dale Turner, an American tenor saxophonist whose best years are behind him and whose drinking has taken a heavy toll. He plays a residency at the Blue Note club, where a struggling young Frenchman named Francis Borler listens from outside because he cannot afford the cover charge. Francis admires Dale's music deeply, and the two gradually form a friendship through which Francis tries to steady the older man's life and protect him from his dependence on alcohol, a bond that costs Francis time with his work and his daughter, Bérangère.

Bertrand Tavernier directed and co-wrote the film with David Rayfiel, producing it with Irwin Winkler. It was Tavernier's third feature, arriving between Death Watch and Daddy Nostalgia. The lead role is played by the jazz saxophonist Dexter Gordon, with François Cluzet as Francis; Gabrielle Haker, Christine Pascal, Pierre Trabaud and Frédérique Meininger appear in supporting parts, among a credited cast of 22 and crew of 75.

Made for about 3 million dollars, the film took a similar amount at the worldwide box office. On IMDb it holds 7.4/10 from around 6,400 votes, and on TMDB 7.1/10 from roughly 108 votes, while a critics' rating stands at 8.5/10 from 25 reviews, well above the audience scores.