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Poster for Thelonious Monk: Straight, No Chaser

Thelonious Monk: Straight, No Chaser

1988 · 1h 30m · PG-13 Documentary, Music
Directed by Charlotte Zwerin

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Overview

A documentary film about the life of pianist and jazz great Thelonious Monk. Features live performances by Monk and his band, and interviews with friends and family about the offbeat genius.

Director and cast

Critics on Rotten Tomatoes

Top critics, in their words

All reviews
83%
Tomatometer
Fresh

The Monk music that courses through the film is extraordinary in its range of feeling.

Stephen Holden, New York Times
Fresh

The musical value of this footage is so powerful that nothing can deface it, despite the best efforts of Zwerin to do so.

Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader
Fresh

I had heard the music before. What the film gave me was an opportunity to see Thelonious Monk creating some of it, and, just as importantly, an opportunity to see how those who knew him loved him.

Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
Rotten

We might be moved by Monk's childlike dependency on his wife, baffled by his esoteric humour, honoured simply by his presence, but all we really need now are the records.

Time Out

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