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    Unique ID Code: 0000066523
    Added by: DVD Reviewer
    Added on: 3/11/2004 11:31
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    Fabulous Baker Boys, The (Special Edition) (UK)

    6 / 10
    1 vote cast
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    For 31 years it`s been just the Fabulous Baker Boys... but times change
    Certificate: 15
    Running Time: 110 mins
    Retail Price: £15.99
    Release Date:

    Synopsis:
    The Fabulous Baker Boys is about two brothers, cocktail lounge piano players, whose lives are disrupted when an attractive young woman joins their act and revitalises their career. Starring together for the first time are real-life brothers, Jeff and Beau Bridges as Jack and Frank Baker. Michelle Pfeiffer is Susie Diamond, the woman who enters and irrevocably changes their lives.
    Combining romance, drama, music and comedy, the film chronicles the tentative love affair that springs up between Jack and Susie, both of whom have already had their illusions about life and love somewhat flattened by past experience, and it depicts the filial love between Jack and Frank, which is both a support and constraint for each brother and their mutual love for music. But finally, The Fabulous Baker Boys is a salute to friendship, family and following your dreams.

    Special Features:
    Cast and crew interviews (30 mins). Original theatrical trailer. TV spots.

    Video Tracks:
    Widescreen Anamorphic 1.78:1

    Audio Tracks:
    Dolby Digital Surround 2.0 English

    Subtitle Tracks:
    CC: English

    Directed By:
    Steven Kloves

    Written By:

    Starring:
    Jeff Bridges
    Michelle Pfeiffer
    Beau Bridges
    Ellie Raab
    Xander Berkeley

    Casting By:
    Wallis Nicita

    Soundtrack By:
    Dave Grusin

    Director of Photography:
    Michael Ballhaus

    Editor:
    William Steinkamp

    Costume Designer:
    Lisa Jensen

    Production Designer:
    Jeffrey Townsend

    Producer:
    Julie Bergman Sender
    Bill Finnegan
    Robin Forman
    Sydney Pollack
    Mark Rosenberg
    Paula Weinstein

    Your Opinions and Comments

    6 / 10
    Introduction
    This is a movie I keep seeing mentioned, but I`ve never seen. So finally it comes around cheap enough and conveniant enough to give it a spin. What has it got in store?

    The Plot
    The fabulous baker boys are a piano playing duo. They play to hotel lounges and similar a series of popular oldies and just about keep themselves above water. They`ve been doing it for years and years. However gigs seem to be drying up, and maybe they need a vocalist along to help. After a few less than successful audtions, they find a woman who might just fit the bill. She is a bit of a loose cannon though. Will it help them hit the big time, keep them going, or wreck things?

    The Cast
    Jeff and Beau Bridges play the two baker boys. They do a nice job and being brothers fit the part well. They both learned to play the piano enough to do their own "stunts" during the playing scenes.
    Michelle Pfeiffer as the singer, certainly does an admirable job. She spent some time learning to sing in the right way for the part apparently.

    The Visuals/Audio
    Nothing good or bad to say aboout it. The video is 16:9 and the sound stereo. Its mostly dialogue and music, and the stereo track is ok once I got the surround amp to be aware of this.

    The Extras
    Well, not very good for a so called Special Edition. It proudly states on the box ...Over 30 minutes of extra
    A featurette making of - which is ok, nothing special but not brilliant.
    An interview with the Bridges boys, but at just a few minutes running we don`t get to learn too much.
    An interview with Michelle Pfeiffer which possibly has less information than the other interview.
    A series of TV spots. Quite what this is for I don`t know. Its like a condensed version of the film. I soon got bored with it.
    A trailer.... yawn.

    Summary
    Its a good film, not great but its entertaining which is often what you want. I think calling it a special editon is a bit of a cheek. I`ve got non-special edition DVD`s with far more extras on than this. However there is a non-special edition with even less extra.
    posted by Julian Onions on 3/11/2004 12:06