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6 Degrees Entertainment

The Fabulous Baker Boys [Collector’s Edition]
(Jeff Bridges, Michelle Pfeiffer, Beau Bridges, Jennifer Tilly, et al / Blu-ray / R / (1989) 2022 / MVD Visual)

Overview: Jeff Bridges (The Big Lebowski), Michelle Pfeiffer (What Lies Beneath) and Beau Bridges (The Descendants) enchant in this “lovely and fragile” (New York Magazine) tale about sibling musicians and the sultry singer who leads them to success.

Jack and Frank Baker are stuck in a rut. Playing the same tired tunes night after night; the brothers are in desperate need of change. So when they meet a sultry songbird named Susie Diamond, their future starts to sparkle.

But when life in the limelight brings old rivalries to the surface as Jack and Susie’s relationship heats up, the Baker boys soon find their act - and their lives - growing more entertaining than either of them may be able to handle!

Blu-ray Verdict: For an adult love story for an older generation with one of the best jazz soundtracks ever set to a movie, The Fabulous Baker Boys remains a smooth delight, topped by the inspirational casting of Michelle Pfeiffer.

Its laid back sophistication is peppered with brotherly rivalry, catty one-liners from Pfeiffer and a smattering of humor, that all just takes the edge off it all taking itself too seriously. I always wondered why Beau Bridges was so called, especially when contrasted here against his real-life (as well as in the story) brother.

Beau is plain, balding (running joke about using a revolutionary new hair tonic, in a spray can) and married, while a smooth and fresh-skinned - with Fabulous hair! Jeff, we see waking up with his latest sexual encounter at the film’s start and is dashing throughout.

There’s a wonderful predictability in the story that whilst obvious is essential as the piano-playing brothers, who’ve had the same act for the last 15 years, get the sack from their cozy cocktail lounge slot. Get a girl singer, to add glamour and class is what they decide and so the essential misfits and talent less line up to audition. Of course, Pfeiffer stumbles in late, swears, but, as only in the movies sways them and gets the job.

This is, of course the most sublime part of the movie; Pfeiffer, in tight shapely dress, draped over a shiny grand piano, Jeoff and Beau tinkling the ivories and the excellent Dave Grusin score ever achingly evocative and playful. But, of course, the frictions start to seep in and of course, the magic can’t last.

As I said, the tried and trusted music/fame/film formula works well but is never obvious and we are left with an ending as open as the beginning, which is refreshing - and for the better. Any lesser film would have a sugary pigeon-holed finale that would raise the happy level but which would dissipate immediately after.

Though there is some swearing, this film doesn’t need, or resort to adult material and in this day and age, this is like a breath of fresh air. Actually, the whole experience could be summed up as such, yes, a breath of beautiful, fresh air. Enjoy! This is a Widescreen Presentation (1.85:1) enhanced for 16x9 TVs and comes with the Special Features of:

High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) presentation of the main feature in its original 1.85:1 aspect ratio
English LPCM Master Audio 2.0 Stereo
English SDH Subtitles
Audio Commentary with Writer-Director Steve Kloves, hosted by Twilight Time’s Julie Kirgo and Nick Redman
Audio Commentary with Director of Photography Michael Ballhaus
Isolated Music & Effects Track
The Fabulous Baker Boys: 1989 Behind the Scenes featurette (SD, 6:54)
Jeff Bridges & Beau Bridges: 1989 Behind the Scenes featurette (SD, 3:15)
Michelle Pfeiffer: 1989 Behind the Scenes featurette (SD, 3:36)
Deleted Scenes (SD, 21:16)
Original Theatrical Trailer (HD, 2:47)
2 TV Spots (SD)
2-Sided Artwork

www.MVDvisual.com





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