The Cotton Club (1984)

I watched the Encore version of this. In trying to figure out the differences between it and the original, I looked at Roger Ebert’s review and it seems that, while still flawed, Encore is the better version. The original apparently removed many scenes with Black characters, which not only removes a lot of the talent shown, but also changes the focus away from the titular Club and solely on to the trite gangster story anchored by Richard Gere. The scenes in the club are the best part of the film, filled with the all Black talent of singers and dancers, including the fabulous Gregory Hines and his brother Maurice, and the glamour of the all white clientele. There are many other great performances, both large (Bob Hoskins and Fred Gwynne’s bromance) and small (Gwen Verdon, Tom Waits, Lawrence Fishburne), and the film is beautiful too look at. It all just gets dragged down by almost all the bits involving Gere’s character.  

Oscar Nominations: Best Art Direction-Set Decoration; Best Film Editing