The movie was directed (and co-written) by Francis Ford Coppola and starred Richard Gere, Diane Lane, and Gregory Hines. Other notable actors that appeared included Nicolas Cage, Bob Hoskins and James Remar. It was nominated for several awards, including Golden Globes for Best Director and Best Picture (Drama) and the Oscar for best Film Editing.
Gere plays a musician who begins working with mobsters to advance his career but falls in love with the girlfriend (Lane) of one of the gang members. Hines and Lonette McKee play dancers at the Cotton Club in a sub-plot of the movie. The movie features many song and dance numbers including fictional performances by Cab Calloway and Duke Ellington.