Bolden

Bolden is a 2019 American drama film and a lush, evocative exploration of the life and music of pioneering jazz musician, Buddy Bolden, the man often credited as the "inventor" of jazz. The movie captures the life journey of this cornet player from New Orleans and offers viewers an extensive visual and audible experience, transporting them back to the genesis of jazz.

Gary Carr takes to the screen with a magnetic performance as Buddy Bolden, embodying the jazz legend with passion and depth that will have viewers both moved and entranced. Carr delves into the character with an engaging allure, vividly depicting the musician's life that spanned both immense creative influence and personal turmoil.

Erik LaRay Harvey and Ian McShane add depth to the plot with their portrayal of Bolden's contemporaries. Harvey plays Bartley, Bolden's close friend and supporter, channeling the emotional complexities of their relationship into his performance. Simultaneously, McShane's role as Bolden's nemesis, Judge Perry, provides the necessary counterbalance to Bolden's story, shedding light on the racial and societal tensions of the turn of the century.

The film, directed by Dan Pritzker and produced by Jon Cornick and Michele Tayler, is structured in a non-linear fashion. It alternates between Bolden's early life, rise to fame, and subsequent downward spiral. Its exquisite framing and sets are as much a character in the film as the people they represent, replete with the opulence, squalor, and vibrancy of jazz-age New Orleans. The assiduous attention to detail, whether it's the grandeur of the dance halls or the starkness of the hospital where Bolden was committed, contributes to the authenticity of the narrative.

Set in the early 1900s, Bolden's story unfolds amid the seismic social changes American society was undergoing, chiefly due to the burgeoning jazz scene. It highlights the racial, cultural, and social complexities of an era marked by segregation and deep-seated prejudice. One of the key strengths of the movie is its willingness to confront these overlooked aspects of the time period. Bolden's transformation from a local cornet player to a pioneer of a new music genre unfolds against this tumultuous backdrop, making his journey all the more poignant.

Mirroring the music it celebrates, the story is told in a style that is fluid and improvisational. The narrative of Bolden's life is anchored and punctuated by potent jazz numbers, with the music serving both as a vessel of storytelling as well as an ode to the genre itself. The score, created by Wynton Marsalis, an acclaimed jazz musician in his own right, is as much a character in the film as the human cast. The rousing jazz melodies, combined with quieter, more introspective pieces, create a rhythm and musicality in the storyline that echo jazz's improvisational nature.

The cinematography by Vilmos Zsigmond gives the film a rich, textured look. His use of light and shadow, along with the selective use of colors, helps craft a vibrant and visually sumptuous masterpiece. Every frame feels like a carefully crafted painting and adds depth to the narrative, providing an authentic snapshot of the era.

Performances across the movie are commendable, with each actor bringing a distinct, nuanced persona on screen. The endeavor to humanize these historical figures, making them heroes, villains, and victims of their time, is an important element in the film's narrative strategy.

Bolden is a compelling and heartrending exploration of a man whose extraordinary gifts and vision reshaped American culture even as his own life descended into near-obscurity and torment. While the film offers no definitive answers on the nature of Bolden's demise, its vivid depictions of his unparalleled musical journey and his struggle with mental illness resonate deeply. The movie serves as a poetic tribute to this unsung musical genius. It is an emotionally charged and aesthetically pleasing historical drama, a must-watch for jazz lovers and history buffs alike.