Miles Davis: Birth of the Cool

“Living is an adventure and a challenge...If anybody wants to keep creating they have to be about change.” Opening with the words of the great jazz musician himself, the tone is set for Stanley Nelson’s latest documentary Miles Davis: Birth of the Cool. Though the film relies heavily on predictable archival footage, and straightforward talking head interviews with critics and historians (it’s for public television’s “American Masters” series after all), Nelson nevertheless manages to provide an informative glimpse into the life of an unconventional artist, one filled with real surprises at every turn. (All moved quickly along with the help of a mind-blowing soundtrack, naturally.)

To read the rest of my take on the great documentarian’s take on the great musician visit Global Comment.