Paris Blues

Much like the multitude of heady jazz numbers that flow throughout the film, Paris Blues is a cool, breezy and laid-back character-led romantic drama with strong turns by the four likable leads, not least the late, great Paul Newman, effortlessly exuding that trademark piercing blue-eyed intensity and magnetism.

Paris Blues is a small movie with large ambitions.

Each player in this love rhombus keeps the Martin Ritt-directed affair from scatting off into period nonsense. [01 Jul 2001]

The movie has a great Duke Ellington score, and director Martin Ritt tries for a Beat sensibility that's not authentic, but is acceptable. [30 Dec 1995]

Within its snappy, flashy veneer is an undernourished romantic drama of a rather traditional screen school.

The story is slim but the jazz is great, especially when legendary Louis Armstrong gets into the act.

Director Martin Ritt (The Long, Hot Summer) has obviously sought for artistic truth in this film, but the only general truth that Blues propounds is one that might have prevented this production: expatriates are a pretty dull bunch.