‘Lush Life’

This 1994 cable movie is the rare exception to the rule that films about jazz have maintained a low level of authenticity through the years. Even so, it could have been dismissed as just another disease-of-the-week melodrama, but the relationship between a saxophonist (Jeff Goldblum, left) and a trumpeter (Forest Whitaker) is warmly convincing, thanks to the script by director Michael Elias. They work together on everything from jazz gigs to bar mitzvahs and baroque dates. Whereas Goldblum is in marital trouble (with Kathy Baker, right), Whitaker has an inoperable brain tumor that causes his friend to bring together all his buddy’s favorite musicians for one grand finale with out telling the true reason for the gathering. Lennie Niehaus writes the original music and incorporates jazz standards (Showtime early Monday at 2:50 a.m.).