The Fabulous Baker Boys
Greetings, ‘The Fabulous Baker Boys’ is a comedy drama and musical film which was written and directed by Steve Kloves that would receive critical acclaim upon its release in 1989. Following the success of ‘The Fabulous Baker Boys’, Kloves would become involved in the film adaptations of JK Rowling’s wizarding world and the later Harry Potter spin-offs as part of the writing team. The film stars real life brothers Jeff and Beau Bridges as fraternal musicians alongside the illustrious Michelle Pfeiffer, child actress Ellie Raab as well as Jennifer Tilly in a support role as the tone deaf Blanche ‘Monica’ Moran. The music, which is a core component of the movie, was composed by Jazz pianist and band leader Dave Grusin who has a discography that stretches back to the 1960s. Grusin is known for writing the music for adventure comedy ‘The Goonies’ as well as the Dustin Hoffman vehicle ‘Tootsie’ to name but a few of his more notable works.
The plot begins with Jack Baker, talented pianist and womanizer, leaving the apartment of his one night stand as he heads off to his nocturnal job. Jack meets up with his older brother and band manager, Frank, who is getting ready for their performance by covering up his bald spot with spray on hair from a can. For the past 15 years, the brothers have been performing show tunes across America as the self-styled piano duo ‘The Fabulous Baker Boys’. They have managed to eke out a living all those years by doing the same old routine, delivering the same worn out jokes in tacky bars and dives as run down as their comedy skits. A problem is arising as the Baker Boys aren’t pulling in crowds like they used to and are playing to almost empty rooms. Worse still, the bar patrons pay no mind to them. After a few club managers refuse to book future performances with the Bakers, the brothers decide it is time to shake things up. They decide to hire a singer.
37 aspiring singers respond to their advertisement and the Bakers learn to their dismay that not one of the hopefuls could carry a tune to save their lives during the try-outs. The exhausted brothers are about to pack up for the day when a woman named Susie Diamond stumbles through their door an hour and a half after the auditions closed. A frustrated Frank tries to shoo Susie away by explaining punctuality is key in the entertainment industry while Jack suggests Susie sing by arguing they have nothing to lose. Frank relents and she gives a slow rendition of ‘More Than You Know’ which awes the brothers. Suzie is hired on the spot and is free to leave her years as an escort behind her. After a shambolic start to their first performance, Susie lights up the room with her vocal talent and the trio become in high demand. They are soon sought after by upper crust establishments but the good times are threatened when Jack starts developing feelings for the sensual singer.
Aside from the title, I knew very little about this one before watching it and I left it pleasantly surprised. It no doubt helped that I knew most of the music included in the film and that Michelle sang to a professional standard. It is a great character study with Jack being the main focus as he struggles between staying loyal to his brother and his strong desire to break away from his repetitive lifestyle. In stark contrast to his womanizing, I also appreciated Jack’s paternal relationship with Nina. She is the child from the upstairs apartment who often spends time with him when her mother is frequently away on romantic flings that are doomed to failure. Completing that quasi-family set up is Jack’s dog, an elderly black Labrador called Eddie who has considerable screen time. If you fancy an engaging drama with plenty of comedy and romance to sink your teeth into, then ‘The Fabulous Baker Boys’ might just be the movie to watch.
Plot=9/10
Characters=9/10
Special Effects=9/10
Overall=9/10
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