Denzel Washington and Spike Lee movie collaborations have captivated audiences for decades, but their very first joint effort, Mo’ Better Blues, often receives far less attention than their later works. Released in 1990, the film marked an early and passionate partnership between Lee and Washington—a partnership that would go on to fuel some of cinema’s most celebrated stories.
How Mo’ Better Blues Set the Stage for a Creative Partnership
By the late 1980s, both Denzel Washington and Spike Lee were making waves in the film industry. Lee had emerged as a director to watch with films like She’s Gotta Have It and his breakout, Do The Right Thing. Washington, having launched his career with Carbon Copy and earning critical praise for roles in Cry Freedom and Glory, had just secured his first Academy Award. It was shortly after these major career breakthroughs that the two artists joined forces on Lee’s fourth feature film.
Mo’ Better Blues introduced audiences to Bleek Gilliam, a jazz trumpeter whose mother raised him with high expectations, pushing him towards musical greatness from an early age. By adulthood, Bleek—brought to life by Washington—leads his own jazz band but struggles with personal and professional turmoil, much of it resulting from his own misguided choices and the influence of those around him. Among them is the band manager, Giant, played by Spike Lee, whose missteps threaten everyone’s stability.
Alongside Washington and Lee, the film features notable actors like Wesley Snipes as saxophonist Shadow Henderson, Giancarlo Esposito as pianist Left Hand Lacey, Bill Nunn, and John Turturro. Together, the ensemble breathes life into a narrative that is both an homage to the world of jazz and a reflection of the challenges Black artists face when seeking recognition.
Celebrating the Film’s Themes and Contributions
Mo’ Better Blues stands as a testament to Lee and Washington’s dedication to authentic storytelling rooted in the Black experience. The film is not only a love letter to jazz but also an exploration of obstacles faced by African American artists, particularly in an industry often slow to embrace diverse voices. As Bleek’s journey unfolds, audiences see a genuinely flawed character whose actions and insularity result in personal setbacks, both in love and in his career.
Spike Lee himself appeared as Giant, a critical figure whose involvement with dangerous loan sharks adds real peril to the narrative. The film’s storylines echo recurring motifs in both Lee’s and Washington’s later works: the tension between personal ambition, loyalty, and the fight for societal acceptance. Even as the film addresses weighty topics, it is also rich in the visual style, direction, and musicality synonymous with Lee’s signature approach.
Denzel Washington’s portrayal of Bleek Gilliam showed a different side of his acting, with a vulnerability and self-sabotage not often seen in his filmography. While Mo’ Better Blues did not match the critical or commercial highs of some later collaborations, the film’s direction, performances, and treatment of complex themes foreshadowed the cinematic heights the pair would reach together.
Mo’ Better Blues in the Middle of a Remarkable Filmography
Despite its artistry and ambition, Mo’ Better Blues tends to be overshadowed by other Denzel Washington and Spike Lee movie collaborations. Their follow-up project, Malcolm X, saw Washington embodying the legendary civil rights leader and earning an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor. The success of that film naturally shifted focus away from their earlier joint effort. Later, the duo teamed up for the sports drama He Got Game in 1998 and, much later, for the 2006 thriller Inside Man.
In the broader context of their careers, both Lee and Washington enjoy impressive records—Washington with nine Oscar nominations and Lee with seven. However, Mo’ Better Blues is often left out of discussions celebrating their body of work, in part because it did not score the same level of critical or financial success as their subsequent releases. Even so, the film holds a special place as the project that marked the foundation of a fruitful artistic partnership between the two.
A Closer Look at Mo’ Better Blues: Plot and Characters
Mo’ Better Blues centers on the life of Bleek Gilliam, depicted by Denzel Washington, who is fiercely committed to his music but emotionally conflicted in his romantic life, especially as he juggles relationships with two different women. As Bleek’s dedication to music intensifies, his personal relationships suffer, and his involvement with band manager Giant leads to unexpected danger when Giant’s troubles spill over into Bleek’s carefully managed world.
Other core characters include Spike Lee’s Giant, Wesley Snipes as the skillful Shadow Henderson, and Giancarlo Esposito’s Left Hand Lacey. Each performer brought depth and energy to their roles, ensuring the movie resonated beyond its jazz-club setting and into the wider tapestry of American cinema at the time.
Why Mo’ Better Blues Deserves a Fresh Look
One reason that Mo’ Better Blues is frequently overlooked is its status as the earliest entry in a powerhouse series of collaborations. Both film critics and audiences praise later projects like Malcolm X and Inside Man for their narrative intensity and social relevance, often at the expense of revisiting the unique contributions of Mo’ Better Blues. The movie did not receive Oscar nominations or major awards, though both Lee and Washington have received many accolades elsewhere.
Yet, Mo’ Better Blues warrants renewed recognition, not just for its music and atmosphere but for its honest depiction of artists struggling with fame, loyalty, and identity. The film’s artistry and impact continue to influence conversations about race, culture, and creative legacy, especially as the duo prepares for new work together.
New Horizons: The Upcoming Collaboration Between Lee and Washington
After more than three decades since Mo’ Better Blues, and almost two decades since their last project, Denzel Washington and Spike Lee are set to reunite in 2025 for their fifth movie teaming. The pair’s upcoming film, Highest 2 Lowest, is an English-language remake of Akira Kurosawa’s acclaimed crime drama High and Low. The original movie drew inspiration from Ed McBain’s novel King’s Ransom, and Lee’s new interpretation brings fresh vision, musicality, and his signature directorial style.
Highest 2 Lowest recently had its premiere at the Cannes Film Festival, where it received enthusiastic reviews and scored an impressive 88% on Rotten Tomatoes based on early screenings. Critics agree that rather than emulating Kurosawa’s classic, Lee and Washington are shaping a compelling narrative that stands on its own merit as a distinctly “Spike Lee Joint.”
This renewed collaboration excites fans longing for the dynamic spark that Lee and Washington have repeatedly brought to cinema. Mo’ Better Blues set the standard for their partnership, proving that together they could deliver emotion, complexity, and artistry—even if it took years for audiences and critics to recognize its importance.
Mo’ Better Blues remains a standout in the timeline of Denzel Washington and Spike Lee movie collaborations, deserving appreciation for its bold storytelling and the foundation it established for future cinematic achievements. As Lee and Washington prepare to release Highest 2 Lowest, the legacy of their earliest work continues to resonate, reminding new and longtime fans alike of the overlooked gems born from truly creative partnerships.
