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The Fabulous Baker Boys

Play trailer Poster for The Fabulous Baker Boys R Released Oct 13, 1989 1h 53m Romance Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
97% Tomatometer 31 Reviews 70% Popcornmeter 10,000+ Ratings
Frank and Jack Baker are brothers who have performed together in a small but successful piano act for years. However, their lack of ambition hurts them, they begin losing gigs, and are soon relegated to run-down venues. Attempting to infuse new life into their act, the brothers audition singers and choose the stunning Susie Diamond. The new lineup brings success, but a growing attraction between Susie and Jack threatens the trio's stability.
The Fabulous Baker Boys

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Its story is nothing special, but The Fabulous Baker Boys glows beneath luminous performances from its perfectly cast stars.

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Critics Reviews

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Pauline Kael The New Yorker Writer-director Steve Kloves glides you through a romantic fantasy that has a forties-movie sultriness and an eighties movie-struck melancholy. Sep 12, 2023 Full Review Variety Staff Variety The fun part is seeing it all play out, thanks to a standout cast and first-time director Steve Kloves' skill in handling them. Jul 28, 2008 Full Review Geoff Andrew Time Out Much of the credit must go to the actors, with the Bridges brothers making a superb double act. Jan 26, 2006 Full Review Terry Francis Southern Voice (Atlanta) Technically and emotionally, The Fabulous Baker Boys is the work of a rich and surprising intellect. Rated: 3.5/4 May 9, 2023 Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy All three stars are superb, but it's Pfeiffer's smart and sexy performance that quickly became a thing of legend. Rated: 3/4 Feb 9, 2023 Full Review Rene Jordan El Nuevo Herald (Miami) Almost the best movie of the year. [Full review in Spanish] Jun 29, 2022 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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shteebo Realistic drama and sexual tension set amid the lives of small-time musicians. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/13/23 Full Review Larry H A slow burning sleeper perfect for a rainy afternoon. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/25/23 Full Review D M The movie reminds me of the guy back in High School who tried too hard. This film tries to be more than it is. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 02/02/23 Full Review s c A believable story exploring the lives of small-time musicians. Strong performances from the leads, especially Pfeiffer. Worth a look. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review isla s This is a somewhat saucy film, not in an explicit sense but there are some scenes featuring musical performances from the main characters which are a bit sensual perhaps. Michelle Pfeiffer gives a particularly memorable performance - I'd say if your a fan of hers then you'll enjoy this but then considering the film dates from 1989, I'd be surprised if you hadn't already seen it before. Its true that the plot pace is a bit slow but I found it an easy watch regardless. The relationship between the two brothers (said baker boys) and Pfeiffer's character, Susie, is fairly interesting. Jeff Bridges plays brother Jack, the surprisingly laidback and even rather cold, noncomittal and apathetic type. I think a key word or theme in this film is disillusionment. Oh and from a musical perspective, to give you an idea, there's a lot (and by a lot I mean a LOT) of 'bar music' mainly featuring saxophone featured - saxophone and piano music. Some saxophone music can be heard in the background during scenes not featuring live performances as well, giving it the feel of an old detective type film almost. It is a little cheesy in that regard I suppose. Its also rather seedy in tone but I thought it was an alright watch. there were some amusing scenes (although it isn't an outright comedy) and the performances made it a pretty decent watch, even though the plot is a bit weak. Not a bad watch, not a brilliant one but not a bad one either. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member Jeff num personagem incomodamente frio, babaca, enganador, nas palavras de Susi e completo com amargo, irresponsável e mulherengo, só a menininha quebra o gelo e o torna humano, um drama realista sobre a vida de músicos para ganharem a vida... Michelle linda, um filme triste, musical e melancólico... Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/12/23 Full Review Read all reviews
The Fabulous Baker Boys

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Cast & Crew

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Movie Info

Synopsis Frank and Jack Baker are brothers who have performed together in a small but successful piano act for years. However, their lack of ambition hurts them, they begin losing gigs, and are soon relegated to run-down venues. Attempting to infuse new life into their act, the brothers audition singers and choose the stunning Susie Diamond. The new lineup brings success, but a growing attraction between Susie and Jack threatens the trio's stability.
Director
Steve Kloves
Producer
Paula Weinstein, Courtney Silberberg, Mark Rosenberg
Screenwriter
Steve Kloves
Distributor
20th Century Fox
Production Co
Mirage Enterprises, Gladden Entertainment
Rating
R
Genre
Romance, Comedy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Oct 13, 1989, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 30, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$18.1M
Runtime
1h 53m
Sound Mix
Dolby, Surround
Aspect Ratio
35mm