This Very Canadian Biopic stars Ethan Hawke as Chet Baker, who in the ’60s was womped by his drug dealer’s goons and had all his teeth knocked out. Teeth are pretty important to a trumpet player! Writer director Robert Budreau does the smart biopic take—instead of trying for a life overview, he covers a specific era, during which Baker is also trying to kick heroin for the love of a good woman (Carmen Ejogo). Hawke, speaking at the high end of his voice, is a fine enough Baker and a convincing jazz musician, but the film around him is filled in with music-movie caricatures like Former Manager Who’s Had Enough, New Guy Willing to Take a Chance If He Can Get His Shit Together, Disappointed Father, and Underwritten Crying Love Interest.
This article appears in Mar 17-23, 2016.