The Fabulous Baker Boys (1989)

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 the grown up of the pair, married with kids and he has what passes for the business head between them. The former is more of a loose cannon attached only to his brother and his dog. Their doldrums seem set to consign them to the musical dustbin until they encounter the sparky "Susie" (Michelle Pfeiffer) on their search for a singer. She doesn't exactly look the part, but she has has a voice to die for and suddenly - after a seriously ropey start - their act starts to track a little better. Are things finally on the up? Thus far the film showcases some classy numbers peppered with the odd pithy one-liner and just about enough style to get it by. Now we have our little triumvirate, though, the romantic clutter starts to get in the way; the standard dysfunctional family soap suds start to froth and I just found the whole thing started to drag. Pfeiffer is the star of the show, and her versions of "More Than You Know" and "My Funny Valentine" are impressive, but the joke had worn far too thin for me by this point and I'd lost interest. It's a grand looking film at it's best, but sadly Steve Kloves couldn't quite steer it away from the tedious and fractious sibling stuff that I found increasingly predictable and dull.

"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 female singer. The film effortlessly captures the quiet desperation of the eternally small time careers of the Baker boys as they monotonously tour around a ceaseless succession of out of the way second rate venues. They are trapped in such places and like so many of us they have gradually convinced themselves they are doing well in a tough business which offers few rewards, but all they are really doing is lying to themselves that they are more than they are and will ever be because sometimes it is easier to live a lie instead of facing up to the truth and admitting life has passed you by.