Paris Blues

Caught the last half of Paris Blues on TV last night. This 1961 film has an all-star cast: Sidney Poitier, Diahann Carroll, Paul Newman, Joanne Woodward, and Louis Armstrong. The score features Duke Ellington's music. It is so sophisticated , the ending so allusive, that it really sticks in one's mind for a long time long after it ends. Poitier and Carroll met while making this picture, beginning an 8-year affair. Their chemistry is great. Joanne Woodward is Mrs. Paul Newman, and that sort of comes through. A strange and powerful effect. Director Martin Ritt uses a dark, realistic style. Black and white. Gritty. Not easy to watch, quite slow and subtle. But they don't make 'em like this anymore. A serious film about serious people and serious themes. You can listen to the theme by clicking here, and you can find it on VHS at Amazon.com.