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Crime drama

The Cotton Club Encore (2019): Cast & Ratings

The Cotton Club Encore (2019) movie poster

The Cotton Club Encore is a 2019 crime drama directed by Francis Ford Coppola, starring Nicolas Cage, Richard Gere and Diane Lane. It runs 2 hours 19 minutes. Critics gave it 76% on Rotten Tomatoes and 64 on Metacritic.

Rotten Tomatoes
76%
Echo Score
70
Metascore
64
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The Cotton Club Encore (2019) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 19m (139 min)
Genres
Drama , Crime , Music
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The Cotton Club Encore About?

The premise of The Cotton Club Encore without spoilers.

Set in the vibrant and dangerous world of 1930s Harlem, this drama explores the intertwining lives of entertainers and gangsters within the iconic Cotton Club. Amidst the smoky jazz clubs and hidden alleys, passions ignite and violence erupts, drawing individuals into a complex web of desire and betrayal. The film showcases a lavish and immersive portrayal of the era, now presented with enhanced scenes and music to fully realize the director’s vision.

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Cast & crew

The Cotton Club Encore Cast

Nicolas Cage leads the cast, with Richard Gere and Diane Lane. Directed by Francis Ford Coppola; 10 actors are credited in all.

From the director

More from Francis Ford Coppola

More films directed by Francis Ford Coppola, best-rated first: The Godfather, The Godfather: Part II, Apocalypse Now and The Conversation.

Full filmography
Ratings

The Cotton Club Encore Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave The Cotton Club Encore 76% on Rotten Tomatoes and 64 on Metacritic. Our Echo Score gives it 70/100, strongest in art & craft (80) and weakest in story & flow (50).

70 /100

The Cotton Club Encore Echo Score Breakdown

In overall terms, The Cotton Club Encore impresses with its richly crafted restoration and lively musical sequences but suffers from uneven narrative coherence and sporadic character depth. Users and critics note that the film’s revitalized visuals and dance numbers offer a vivid sense of place, yet the interwoven storylines can feel overcrowded and at times the emotional stakes undercut by stylistic flourishes. While the restored cut elevates many of Coppola’s original intentions, its mixed execution tempers lasting impact.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 80

    In terms of art and craft, the film’s restoration delivers vibrant dance sequences and well-paced editing that enhance visual cohesion. Production design and cinematography often evoke a stylish, noir-inflected atmosphere. However, occasional overuse of staccato imagery and dimly lit scenes can compromise clarity and viewpoint. Overall, the visual presentation remains a strong yet uneven element of the Encore cut.

  • Character & Emotion 55

    When it comes to character depth and emotion, performances register uneven resonance. Bob Hoskins and Gregory Hines are noted for bringing nuanced energy, yet several cast members make choices that feel rehearsed rather than lived. Emotional engagement is further hindered by fragmented imagery. In sum, character portrayal offers compelling moments amid inconsistent depth.

  • Story & Flow 50

    In terms of story and flow, the Encore edition achieves greater coherence than the original, with pacing that smooths over earlier structural gaps. However, the interwoven gangster and musical subplots can still feel overcrowded, and thematic ambition sometimes outpaces narrative clarity. Overall, the plot delivers intermittent engagement but lacks consistently focused momentum.

  • Sensory Experience 80

    When it comes to the sensory experience, the film excels with a richly remastered soundtrack and vibrant sound design that foreground Harlem’s jazz milieu. The visual style combines polished production elements with dramatic lighting, creating an immersive atmosphere. Some viewers note occasional disjunction in audio-visual balance, yet on the whole the Encore cut offers a compelling sensory tapestry.

  • Rewatch Factor 75

    When it comes to rewatch factor, the restored presentation provides fresh details that reward repeat viewings, particularly in the choreography and period detail. Fans of jazz-driven cinema and Coppola’s aesthetic will find lasting appeal, although uneven story and character beats may limit broader replay value. In summary, the Encore version offers selective but meaningful reasons to revisit.

Seen The Cotton Club Encore?

FAQ

The Cotton Club Encore FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date

Runtime, release date, director, cast, ratings and post-credit scenes of The Cotton Club Encore, each answered in a sentence.

How long is The Cotton Club Encore?

The Cotton Club Encore runs 2 hours 19 minutes (139 minutes).

When was The Cotton Club Encore released?

The Cotton Club Encore was released on October 11, 2019.

Who directed The Cotton Club Encore?

The Cotton Club Encore was directed by Francis Ford Coppola.

More films by Francis Ford Coppola

Who is in the cast of The Cotton Club Encore?

The Cotton Club Encore stars Nicolas Cage, Richard Gere and Diane Lane, among 10 credited actors.

How is The Cotton Club Encore rated?

The Cotton Club Encore has 76% on Rotten Tomatoes and 64 on Metacritic.

Does The Cotton Club Encore have a post-credit scene?

No. The Cotton Club Encore has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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