[[quoteright:310:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/mo_better_blues.jpeg]]
[[caption-width-right:310: ''The Harlem Blues", indeed.]]

''Mo' Better Blues'' is a 1990 comedy-drama film written by, directed by, and co-starring Creator/SpikeLee. Also in the cast are Creator/DenzelWashington, Creator/WesleySnipes, Joie Lee, Cynda Williams, Creator/GiancarloEsposito, Creator/BillNunn, and Creator/DickAnthonyWilliams.

Bleek Gilliam (Washington) is a brilliant trumpeter and overall jazz musician, but he spends too much time hopping between his many lovers, specifically his girlfriend Indigo Downes (Joie Lee) and up-and-coming singer Clarke Bentancourt (Cynda Williams). He also has to contend with the conflicts between himself, the other members of his Bleek Quintet, and his wayward manager Giant (Spike Lee), whose nasty gambling habits eventually spell big trouble for him and his client.

This film was the second to last film to star comedian Robin Harris[[note]]with ''House Party 2'' to ultimately serve as the final film where he appeared via archive footage[[/note]], who played Butterbean Jones. The film is dedicated to his memory.

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!!This film provides examples of:

* BabiesEverAfter: [[spoiler: Bleek and Indigo get married and she gives birth to their son [[ShotgunWedding a few months later.]]]]
* BettyAndVeronica: Indigo is the Betty (down-to-earth, earnest girlfriend) to Clarke's Veronica (the upscale and glamorous singer).
* BeautyIsNeverTarnished: Averted, after being beaten up the the loan sharks that attacked Giant, his face is seen as swollen and discolored, as it should be after having his jaw broken.
* BookEnds: The film begins and ends with a group of boys coming to the brownstone to ask for their friend to come out and play (and hilariously enough, although each scenario is set apart by a few decades, it's the exact same boys each time although FridgeBrilliance could come into effect if those 1990-era boys were the sons of the 1969-era ones).
* FacialHorror: Twice for Bleek in the aftermath of his beating; not only is the handsome man disfigured due to the injuries he suffered, but after he finally comes back, he is initially left unable to play the trumpet as well as he did before due to his broken jaw and busted lip.
* AMinorKidroduction: The opening scene has Bleek as a youngster being forbidden to quit trumpet practice so he can go out and play baseball with his friends.
* MissingMom: Bleek's mother died years earlier but he remains close to his supportive father.
* NoHoldsBarredBeatdown: Giant and Bleek receive a brutal one in the film's climax.
* SlapSlapKiss: Bleek and Indigo's relationship due to his serial cheating. She eventually forgives him, [[spoiler: marries him and has his baby.]]
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