This film, partly biography, partly fiction, is a dreamy portrayal of Chets struggle to stay clean and get back to the top after losing his teeth in a fight and not being able to play anymore. There's a lot of romance in here, but not in a corny way. Romantic love helps him stay clean, switching from one kind of high to another.The cinematography is beautiful, as well as the set dressing which gives the movie a nice sixties feel. The music is great, as it should be. I love the fact that Ethan sings the songs, it shows great bravery and contributes a lot to the feeling of the struggling artist. He captures the Chet-haze almost perfectly. Being an admirer of Chet Baker and Ethan Hawke I'd been looking forward to 'Born to be Blue' for a long time. It took me a while before I could finally see it, but it was worth the wait and I will certainly watch it over and over.

1) Hawke sings like garbage, Chet sang brilliantly. 2) Why didn't they use the original Chet recordings, why re-record everything thus cheapening the music? 3) Why did the film makers and Ethan Hawke etc. not ask / get permission from The Chet Baker estate to make this film? Chet's son / family is trying to sue them now! as they should. I hope that they are successful. 4) Last and MOST IMPORTANTLY: read Artt Frank's book "Chet Baker The Missing Years" to get the TRUE story about Mr. Baker's life during this time period. When I watched this movie, after studying the music and life of Chet Baker since 1989, I considered the film's story line to be about 75% historically wrong. Now that I've just read Artt Frank's book, I assure you - it's at least 95% wrong. Completely wrong! This to me is a huge insult to one of Jazz music's all time greatest geniuses - Chet Baker. - Piano Man Larry Hunt, 10/25/16

Born to Be BlueThe key to being a successful musician/drug addict is picking the most lucrative genre in which to perform.Unfortunately, the strung-out artist in this drama chose Jazz.Failing to pay his drug debts, jazz heartthrob Chet Baker (Ethan Hawke) has his front teeth kicked in in front of his new girlfriend (Carmen Ejogo). Unable to play his horn he must now answer to a parole officer who requires him to find a real job.While he agrees to undergo drug treatment, Chet refuses to give-up performing, even though his new affliction leaves him sounding like an amateur.While Hawke turns in a remarkable portrayal of the embattled Baker, the Baker he is depicting isn't the real Chet Baker, but a fictional account of the addict that uses his bumpy history and embellishes it with substantial poetic license. Besides, junkies make the worst fans because they never leave after the concert. Yellow Lightvidiotreviews.blogspot.ca

This film tells the story of a great jazz musician, who has an addiction to heroin. He tries to stay clean and get back into the music world, but doors don't reopen easily."Born to Be Blue" tells a heart wrenching story of a man who lives through tough times. He gets tremendous support from his wife, and their relationship is positive and touching. He works hard to make a comeback, and I find it so touching.The songs in the film are very good. I wonder if Ethan Hawke does all the singing, because he has this soothing voice which almost makes him the new Michael Buble. I enjoyed watching the film.