Die fabelhaften Baker Boys (1989)

Die fabelhaften Baker Boys: Directed by Steve Kloves. With Jeff Bridges, Michelle Pfeiffer, Beau Bridges, Ellie Raab. The lives of two struggling musicians, who happen to be brothers, inevitably change when they team up with a beautiful, up-and-coming singer.

“Jeff Bridges and Beau Bridges are u0026quot;The Fabulous Baker Boysu0026quot; in this 1989 film also starring Michelle Pfeiffer. The Baker Boys have been playing dual pianos on the lounge circuit for years, with Frank (Beau) acting as the booking manager and accountant. When the bookings dry up, the brothers decide to hire a singer. Sheu0026#39;s Susie Diamond, a gorgeous blond with a sultry voice and sexy appearance that gives the Baker Boys the pizazz that they need to pick up better gigs and more of them. Of course, one canu0026#39;t wait for the handsome, quietly intense Jack (Jeff) and Susie to give into their sexual chemistry, despite Franku0026#39;s warnings that Jacku0026#39;s hit and run technique will not work with a teammate. When Frank is called away on a family emergency, more than sex happens. Ultimately Susieu0026#39;s bluntness and ability to see a situation for what it is makes Jack realize he hates the act, hates the way his brother handles it, and hates himself for not pursuing work as a jazz musician.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eSomeone wrote that the plot is thin – not really. The sibling dynamics are real, pent up, and the product of years of lip-biting, Jack becoming more and more introverted and Frank more desperate to work so he can support his family. It takes an outsider to bring tempers to a boil.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe film is very well done, with great music throughout, including some very hot singing by Pfeiffer. The highlight of the movie is Pfeiffer rolling around on the piano as she sings to Jack. Sheu0026#39;s really at the height of her beauty and can compare favorably to any Hollywood goddess of the past. Her performance as a street-wise singer whou0026#39;s had it tough is excellent, right down to the chewing gum and the crystal jewelry. Beau Bridges is perfectly cast. He plays a working musician for whom music is a job – and yet heu0026#39;s proud of the act, insistent on having u0026quot;Feelingsu0026quot; in every show they do, and likes songs like u0026quot;Bali Hai.u0026quot; Then we come to Jeff Bridges, certainly one of the sexiest men to ever come down the pike – tall and handsome, he is the essence of true jazz musician here – passionate on the piano, cool, loving the night life and the attendant bad habits of drinking and smoking. Heu0026#39;s all tied up in his inability to break free of his brother, and itu0026#39;s expressed in every non-expression, every puff of his cigarette. Heu0026#39;s fantastic.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eAnother reviewer on this site stated that non-musicians probably canu0026#39;t understand Jacku0026#39;s frustration about the music. Itu0026#39;s true, Iu0026#39;m a trained musician and related to his crisis immediately. But I think many people are in jobs they donu0026#39;t like, many people have a book they never finished because the kids came along – I think this is a very appealing story.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eI remember this film getting a big build-up when it was released, but many people on IMDb feel itu0026#39;s underrated. I didnu0026#39;t realize it was, but if it is, it shouldnu0026#39;t be. What a movie – a strange kind of a love story for sure, between a man and his music, but a love story nevertheless.”