Bird (1988) - Eastwood

Plot: Biopic of Jazz Great Charlie Parker
Stars: Forest Whitaker,  Diane Verona

A labor of love by Clint Eastwood, who produced and directed, this mostly covers Parker's last years (1950-1955) with his common-law wife, Chan Parker. The great lead acting, and fine music score, is let down by a mediocre script with minimal focus on Parker's Jazz music & the birth of "Bebop". Instead, this dark, somber film concentrates on the Parker-Chan  relationship (neither of whom are physically attractive), Bird's heroin addiction, and his suicidal tendencies. Its dull - when its not depressing. Adding to the dark mood is Eastwood's direction,which places every scene at night or in dimly lit rooms. Way too long at 2 hours and 41 minutes.

Summary:  More a movie about Charlie Parker, "Junkie", then "Jazz Giant". - skip Bird and go buy a Charlie Parker CD.