Three out of the four hep cats.
Paris Blues is a 1961 American drama film, directed by Martin Ritt and starring Paul Newman, Sidney Poitier, Joanne Woodward, and Diahann Carroll.
The film follows two American jazz musicians in Paris, Ram (Newman) and Eddie (Poitier). At the same time, Lilian (Woodward) and Connie (Carroll) are American tourists visiting Paris for two weeks.
They all meet and fall in love; Connie wants Eddie to move back to the States, but he likes the racial freedom available in Europe. Lilian and Ram also couple up, but Ram wants to be treated as a serious musician and write a piece worthy of being played in the upper echelon of music.
Tropes:
- Bittersweet Ending: Connie and Eddie decide to move to the States together while Ram decides not to leave with Lilian.
- Black Gal on White Guy Drama: Averted: Although Ram flirts with Connie and seems to pursue her at first, Lilian makes a hard play for him though and he eventually falls for her.
- Career Versus Man: A rare Gender Flip: Ram decides to stay in Paris to continue his career.
- The Cameo: A big one by Louis Armstrong where he jams with Ram and Eddie.
- Did Not Get the Girl: Ram doesn’t end up with Lillian.
- The Film of the Book: Based on the 1957 novel of the same name by Harold Flender.
- Flowers of Romance: Eddie buys Connie flowers during a romantic walk.
- Jerk with a Heart of Gold: Ram; he’s a womanizer who truly falls for Lilian.
