'Male, about 65' is said to have been the medical report on the death of jazz musician Charlie 'Bird' Parker. Parker was in fact 34, a big man, but a hulk full of all the drugs and drink he could lay hands on. Director Clint Eastwood's account of his career, told in flashback fashion, is a caring film that tells us Parker was a gentle, genial giant, blessed with a musical genius that kept sparking his career even when he could hardly stay on his feet long enough to fulfil an engagement. Forest Whitaker and Diana Venora live the roles of Parker and his wife Chan to a remarkable degree, but the film drifts on too long and is very darkly photographed. No matter, there's always the music - Bird's own amazingly complex jazz renditions of standards which still take some beating today.

©ipc tx. Film content from TVTimes