Tyler Perry is an established director , with dozens of acting, writing, directing and producing roles to his credit. But when the latest project of him, The blues of a jazz player is released for netflix subscribers by the end of the month, the public will see the first screenplay written by Perry . The film, which Perry had been waiting for 27 years premiered on September 11 at the Toronto International Film Festival, and critics are here to tell us more about this forbidden romance.
The blues of a jazz player is set in Georgia in the 1930s and 1940s and stars Joshua Boone and Solea Pfeiffer as Bayou and Leanne, lovers separated by class and race. It’s not a Madea movie, so let’s see what the critics say. Owen Gleiberman of Variety says the film is full of melodrama, but in a way that somehow feels very new and will make viewers want Tyler Perry to act more often. The critic says:
A Jazzman’s Blues consciously weaves the tropes of black experience with a kind of studio-system finesse. From loud juke-joint bluesy jamming to beautifully staged club gigs (with rotating choreography by Debbie Allen), the musical sequences are hilarious. They give the film a soulful boost and make you wish Perry was directing an entire musical.
Roberto Daniels of the reading list rate the film with a B- e. if the critic is not a fan of the director behind the film, he finds it full of emotion. The review also praises Joshua Boone and Solea Pfeiffer’s “open” performances:
A Jazzman’s Blues is a passion project that is about to become complacent food. The film is never as profound as you think. It’s not very original either. But for Perry, it’s a huge change. And although you shouldn’t praise a director just for trying. Perry does more than rehearse with A Jazzman’s Blues. Eventually he proves he’s not a pony with a trick.
THR Lovia Gyarkye calls the film “a useful melodrama” that employs a series of noir and biblical stereotypes, which Tyler Perry puts together into a relatively familiar story. From Review:
A Jazzman’s Blues is overly indulgent, a narrative feast of twists and turns. The cast’s fantastic work sets the tone, helping viewers digest the plot and saving Perry’s script from the collateral damage of its far-reaching. The film is not a revelation and does not differ too much from Perry’s other work, but it suggests that the director may be ready to step out of his comfort zone.
Sarah Milner of Slash Film he rates the film 5.5 out of 10, saying it is too sentimental and too complicated; it tells us what the characters feel, instead of showing it to us; and romantic scenes are more awkward than sexy. However, Milner notes that Tyler Perry’s decision to approach music is a good one:
Perry, who wrote and directed, thankfully relies on the strength of the film: the music. With songs by Terence Blanchard, music by composer Aaron Zigman and choreography by industry legend Debbie Allen, top-notch talent is on display on stages set up in clubs and concert halls. Personally, I found it very difficult to stay still during these scenes. There is such a good pace that it is impossible not to get carried away. It’s one of those movies where the soundtrack is by far the best element.
Katie alive IndieWire Katie Rife gives the film a C + rating and, like many critics, commends the film’s musical aspects. The reviewer also agrees with his counterparts that it’s melodramatic and devoid of mystery, saying:
It is obvious that Perry was working in the theater when he wrote this script. At its core, A Jazzman’s Blues is a soap opera filled with shocking secrets, emotional confrontations, and extremely satisfying twists. The mysterious aspects are weak; Anyone with the slightest knowledge of African American history can deduce from the start who was killed, why and by whom.
Critics certainly have their likes and dislikes when it comes to The blues of a jazz player but, despite the script being written more than two decades ago, everyone seems to recognize the work of Tyler Perry. Music seems like the point everyone can agree on and if you want to see this movie, you can do it on Friday 23rd September. You can also see 24 News Bulletin Program of the Netflix movie 2022 to see what other movies are coming to the streaming service soon, and start planning your next trip to the cinema with ours 2022 film release schedule .
Source: Cinemablend
