Dfredsparks Review of Devil in a Blue Dress

Devil in a Blue Dress (1995)

overlooked gem (minor spoiler included)

[7/10 · 25 January 2003]

I really enjoyed this screen adaption of the prolific Walter Moseley's first novel. Generally, it was nice to see a piece on this historic period focusing on blacks on the West Coast, as opposed to the usual settings of the South and NYC. Also, the racial issues were handled with enough restraint that I could watch it (i am generally too angered and upset by period pieces with racial issues to enjoy them). Denzel gives a great performance in a much better vehicle than the one for which he finally won a Best Actor Oscar. Jennifer Beals is also convincing, thought my knowledge of her real life biracial heritage sort of ruined her character's surprise revelation in the movie for me. Lisa Nicole Carson gives an effective albeit brief performance, but the show is definitely stolen by Don Cheadle as Mouse. ("if you didnt want him killed why'd you leave him with me?"). I had the pleasure of seeing him off Broadway in Top Dog Underdog, and i think that this film was his breakout role. Overall very enjoyable.