From the Collection: Thelonious Monk Straight, No Chaser
Charlotte Zwerin’s 1988 documentary Thelonious Monk: Straight, No Chaser has been added to the Criterion Collection.
The closest a film camera ever got to enigmatic jazz visionary Thelonious Monk, this intimate portrait sheds light on the corners of a brilliant and complex life. Superbly crafted by Direct Cinema pioneer Charlotte Zwerin from a trove of precious 1960s archival footage, Thelonious Monk Straight, No Chaser captures the pianist, composer, and bebop innovator in rare, unguarded moments on- and offstage, revealing an eccentric and complicated personality. Made with the same freedom of spirit that defines Monk’s artistry, this essential slice of jazz history is a unique glimpse into the quixotic world of one of the twentieth century’s most revolutionary artists.
Here’s What the Disc Includes:
- New 4K digital restoration, with uncompressed monaural soundtrack
- Introduction by director Charlotte Zwerin
- New interview with musician T. S. Monk, son of Thelonious Monk
- New program about Zwerin and the making of the film featuring interviews with writer Michael Schulman, editor Bernadine Colish, and Zwerin’s nieces Lisa and Laura Tesone
- Trailer
- English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
- New cover by Adam Maida
- PLUS: An essay by musician and scholar Paul Grimstad
The title of the film is fitting for the documentary: straight, no chaser. There are no frills with this documentary. It’s a relatively straightforward look at the brilliant and mystifying composer and jazz artist. It’s incredibly compelling and fascinating to watch, as Zwerin mixes archival footage of Monk’s performances along with footage of him mingling backstage and interviews with family, friends, and colleagues who knew him best. She paints a portrait of a genius who has influenced artists for decades. The archival concert footage is remarkable, with Zwerin focusing on a genius at work, allowing us to see his fingers hit every piano key and feel every bead of sweat coming from his head.
The Criterion release of the film doesn’t offer many special features, but it looks and sounds great, which is most important for a movie about a legendary musician. Thelonious Monk: Straight, No Chaser is a beautiful tribute to a legendary artist that will make you want to listen to Monk’s music as soon as the credits are finished.
You can find Thelonious Monk: Straight, No Chaser on the Criterion Collection website or wherever you find Criterion DVDs.
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From the Collection is an analysis of non-new-release movies, whether seen on DVD, streaming, or in a theater. It includes a brief history of the film, a review of the film, and content about the experience of seeing the film and/or the contents of the film’s DVD.
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