Director Étienne Comar’s Django portrays guitarist Django Reinhardt’s life during two years when it seemed that Europe might fall to Germany. His account emphasizes the greatness of Reinhardt’s music and the Nazis’ recognition of his extensive popularity. They coerce his collaborationist lover to persuade him to play in Berlin. Reinhardt chooses instead to escape to neutral Switzerland. In real life, his escape effort failed and he was returned to Paris. Reda Kater is credible, if sometimes phlegmatic, in the title role. The film emphasizes Reinhardt’s devotion to his Belgian Romany roots and people. A group led, a bit frantically, by guitarist Stochelo Rosenberg recreates Reinhardt’s music. The film is now playing in New York and Los Angeles. One hopes that the movie will encourage viewers to seek out the real Reinhardt. His recordings are plentiful here, among other places. You’ll find a reasonably accurate biography here.
