Watch Bolden

The movie Bolden is a powerful and moving tale of one of the greatest unsung heroes in the history of jazz music, Buddy Bolden. Bolden was a legendary musician who revolutionized the world of jazz with his virtuoso trumpet playing and his unique style of improvisation. Set in the early 20th century, the film tells the story of Bolden's life and times, from his days as a young boy growing up in poverty in New Orleans, to his rise to fame as one of the most influential jazz musicians of all time. The movie paints a vivid picture of the vibrant and colorful world of New Orleans during the early days of jazz, when the sound was raw and unpolished, and musicians played in the streets and brothels of the city.

The movie is directed by Dan Pritzker and stars Gary Carr in the titular role of Buddy Bolden. Carr gives a stunning and powerful performance, bringing Bolden to life with a deeply emotional and nuanced portrayal of his struggles and triumphs. He is joined by a talented cast of actors, including Erik LaRay Harvey as Willie Cornish, Bolden's best friend and fellow musician, and Ian McShane as Judge Perry, a powerful and corrupt politician who was both a friend and a foe to Bolden.

The film is a masterpiece of cinematography, with stunning visuals and a rich and immersive soundtrack that captures the spirit of New Orleans during the early years of jazz. The music is performed by a talented cast of musicians, including Wynton Marsalis, who served as the film's executive producer, and Grammy-winning trumpeter Nicholas Payton, who provided the film's original score.

What sets Bolden apart from other biopics is its unique and innovative approach to storytelling. The movie is structured as a series of non-linear flashbacks, using a mix of archival footage, re-enactments, and dream sequences to tell the story of Bolden's life. This approach gives the film a sense of urgency and immediacy, and allows the audience to experience Bolden's struggles and triumphs in a deeply personal and emotional way.

Overall, Bolden is a must-see film for anyone interested in the history of jazz music or the life of Buddy Bolden. It is a powerful and moving story of a true American hero, told with honesty, passion, and skill.

Bolden is a 2019 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 41 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.6 and a MetaScore of 50.