Like fashion photographer Bruce Weber's later documentaries, BROKEN NOSES (1992) and CHOP SUEY (2001), this documentary is first and foremost an exploration of Weber's personal obsessions. But this particular obsession, jazz trumpeter and vocalist Chet Baker, has a rich and evocative story: Baker's meteoric rise, precipitous fall and sadly diminished end are the stuff of pop-culture legend. Born in Oklahoma in 1929, Baker grew up in California and had already begun attracting attention in music circles by the time he was 21. In 1952 and '53, Baker was a member of Gerry Mulligan's acclaimed jazz quartet. Baker was talented, movie-star handsome and wickedly self-destru...
Released:
1988
Rated:
NR
Length:
119 mins