The Fabulous Baker Boys

It's easy to settle for adequate; Hollywood's commitment to drivel makes the well-executed, if mostly fairy tale quality, of many successful films stand out from a rather lame pack. So it's a shock to the system when a film comes along that unerringly captures real people struggling with real problems in a moral universe that is benign at best, and most likely plainly indifferent. Writer/director Steve Kloves, who is obviously incredibly mature for being in his mid-twenties, delivers a story with meat on its bones: Frank Baker (Beau Bridges) and his younger brother Jack (Jeff Bridges) are piano players doing the Seattle circuit of fading establishments. Every night Frank trots out the same jokes, and Jack--between gritted teeth--once again plays "Feelings" for a small, noisy, totally indifferent clientele. After 15 years on the road, the brothers decide to upgrade their act, and hire the smoldering singer Suzie Diamond (another Oscar nominated performance from the overdue Michelle Pfieffer). Suzie, who sings "Makin' Whoopee" with guttural sensuality while suggestively travelling around the piano top in a red dress, brings the brothers up a notch or three on the lounge circuit, and pretty soon the trio are playing under chandeliers to packed ballrooms. Success often breeds tragedy, and the volatile relationship between the strait-laced businessman Frank, the reckless and resentful--yet truly gifted--Jack, and the wild card Suzie is headed for a collision. The Fabulous Baker Boys, in addition to its other standout qualities of excellent story, camera, and acting work, has a rare quality for a Hollywood movie: honesty. Highly recommended. (R. Pitman) [DVD Review—Feb. 6, 2007—MGM, 114 min., R, $14.99—Making its second appearance on DVD, 1989's The Fabulous Baker Boys sports a nice transfer and Dolby Digital surround sound, with DVD extras limited to trailers. Bottom line: a disappointing extras package for a fine film.]