’Round Midnight

Dale Turner is an accomplished saxophonist who plays in local jazz clubs. He struggles with alcohol, which keeps him from achieving lasting success and stability.

After a conversation with a fellow musician who is ill, Dale decides to leave for Paris to pursue better opportunities. He hopes to earn a living playing at Le Blue Note jazz club and to turn his luck around.

Dale arrives in Paris and is befriended by Francis, a struggling French graphic designer who adores his music. Francis idolizes Dale and vows to help him escape alcohol and rebuild his life.

Francis allows Dale to move in with him and his daughter, offering support and a stable environment. With time, Dale begins to put his life back on track and reduces his reliance on alcohol.

Having regained some balance, Dale decides it's time to go home to New York to reconnect with his old friends and to reestablish contact with his daughter. The plan marks a turning point in his personal journey.

Francis accompanies Dale to New York, and the local music community is ready to accept him back into the fold. Dale's return signals a fresh start for his career and relationships.

To strengthen their bond after years apart, Dale writes a song dedicated to his daughter. The piece becomes a symbolic gesture in his attempt to repair the relationship.

Dale invites his daughter to the club's debut performance, but he mistakenly tells the audience she has just turned 15 when she is actually 14. She privately notes the discrepancy to Francis during the performance.

Later that week, an old drug dealer recognizes Dale at a local diner and reintroduces himself, implying that his supply network remains available. The encounter reopens the danger of Dale's past.

Francis makes several attempts to shield Dale from past drug suppliers and pressures, but he struggles to keep up with the threats. The tension underscores the fragility of Dale's recovery.

After continued efforts, Francis eventually leaves Dale in New York and returns to Paris with his daughter, meaning the support network shifts back to his homeland. He remains connected to Dale from afar.

While Francis settles back in Paris, he receives a telegram from Dale's music manager stating that Dale Turner has died in a local hospital. The news closes his arc with a tragic turn.