The Fabulous Baker Boys
The Fabulous Baker Boys

Movie spotlight

The Fabulous Baker Boys

1989
Movie
114 min
English

The lives of two struggling musicians, who happen to be brothers, inevitably change when they team up with a beautiful, up-and-coming singer.

Insights

IMDb7.4/10
Rotten Tomatoes87%
Metacritic71/100
Google Users86%
Director: Steve KlovesGenres: Comedy-Drama, Music, Romance

Plot Summary

The Fabulous Baker Boys follows two brothers, Jack and Tom Baker, who have spent their lives performing lounge music as a duo. Their act begins to falter as their audience dwindles, prompting them to hire a talented singer, Susie Diamond, to reinvigorate their performances. As Susie joins their act, complex relationships and old resentments surface, leading to a dramatic and emotionally charged journey for all three.

Critical Reception

The film was widely praised by critics for its performances, particularly Michelle Pfeiffer's, and its poignant exploration of themes like faded dreams and artistic compromise. It was a moderate box office success and received several award nominations.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its sophisticated blend of music, drama, and romance.

  • Michelle Pfeiffer's performance as Susie Diamond was a standout, earning widespread acclaim.

  • The film effectively captures the melancholy of working-class musicians struggling with ambition and disillusionment.

Google audience: Audiences lauded the film's emotional depth, the chemistry between the lead actors, and the memorable musical numbers. Many appreciated the nuanced portrayal of character relationships and the bittersweet narrative.

Awards & Accolades

Michelle Pfeiffer was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress for her role. The film also received multiple Golden Globe nominations, including Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy.

Fun Fact

Michelle Pfeiffer famously sang all of her own songs in the film, including the iconic rendition of "Makin' Whoopee".

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

2 reviews
kevin2019

kevin2019

"The Fabulous Baker Boys" is a directionless meander through the flawed lives of the central characters Jack and Frank and it is occasioned by their decision to freshen up their cheesy and jaded cocktail lounge act by introducing a sultry f...

CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

Brothers "Jack" (Jeff Bridges) and "Frank" (Beau Bridges) eek out a living playing to audiences of largely disinterested punters in generic jazz cafés and clubs, telling the same jokes and positively exuding mediocrity. The latter man is th...