While I agree with the previous reviews that it is a stark bummer, I have to say that there is a feeling of dedicated authenticity that is rare in Hollywood movies.  Eastwood's love of jazz and admiriation for the subject show through.  His unflinching look at a man's descent into junk is way mor realistic than the gloss-over that the movie Ray provided.  An early demonstartion of the promise of future Academy Award winner Forrest Whitacker.

Technically, a very good film.  But it has to rank as one of the most depressing films ever made.  Eastwood's take on jazz legend Charlie Parker is unrelentingly honest, but as dark and gloomy as possible.  Very hard film to watch.  And you don't want to have anything sharp around when you've finished it.

Solid effort from the director. But it's dark. Daaaaark. Depressing. Watch as a jazz musician slowly commits suicide. Hooray! A solid yet unspectacular effort by Eastwood.