A Man Called Adam

Adam Johnson is introduced as a talented jazz cornetist whose health issues, racism, alcoholism and a volatile temper have left him isolated. He also carries guilt over the deaths years earlier of his wife and child, which fuels his caustic behavior. The film establishes how these burdens weigh on him and on his relationships, especially with his best friend Nelson and the young trumpeter Vincent.

Adam returns home drunk after leaving his quintet and finds Claudia Ferguson and her grandfather Willie waiting in his New York apartment. The intrusion immediately sets a tense tone and foreshadows the complicated dynamics to come.

Adam is rude to Claudia and Willie, and he makes a vulgar pass at Claudia, exposing his volatile temper. The scene makes clear the danger his temper poses to his relationships.

The following day, a sober Adam apologizes and begins a cautious friendship with Claudia and Willie. This gradual shift hints at the possibility of change, and Claudia and Willie show cautious optimism.

Adam becomes romantically involved with Claudia, while Nelson warns that he could hurt her. Claudia, determined to steer him toward stability, seems willing to take the risk and her involvement begins to soften him.

Adam clashes with police and is arrested. Claudia is upset that he antagonized them, while Adam cannot understand why he should submit to humiliation. The arrest triggers a relapse into drinking and a loss of control.

Booking agent Manny wants to send Adam on a tour of the South, but Adam fears the potential discrimination and lashes out, threatening Manny.

Adam later physically assaults a jealous former girlfriend who had just slapped Claudia. The act underscores how far his temper has spiraled and foreshadows further consequences.

Adam tells Claudia that she is too good for him, but when he becomes sick, she moves into his apartment and their relationship is renewed. He confesses that he was driving while intoxicated, causing the car accident that killed his family. Claudia's presence brings him a measure of support and accountability.

Claudia convinces Adam to reunite with his old group, but police pressure the club owner to ban him. This pressure triggers Adam to lash out again at Nelson, Claudia and Vincent.

Manny sends Adam on the Southern tour. After a performance, he hugs Vincent and the crowd reacts violently, yet Adam keeps his composure and the tour proceeds. Upon returning home, he unexpectedly proposes marriage to Claudia.

Vincent is violently attacked in front of Claudia and Adam, who remain frozen. Claudia reflects that she changed Adam and stripped him of his manhood. Adam resurfaces at the club in rough condition, and his final performance begins brilliantly but quickly becomes frenetic; he collapses and dies on stage.