The Fabulous Baker Boys

Here is another excellent movie I recently watched again for the shear pleasure of it.

Dave Grusin is as well known for his movie music as John Williams. But you may not know his name. If you like jazz however, you know the Grusin brothers. And no, this movie is most definitely not about them.

Rather, this movie is about a pair of other brothers who are part of the small-time lounge entertainment scene in Seattle in the late 80s. As their act grows stale they add a female vocalist.

Jeff and Beau Bridges play the brothers, and Michelle Pfeiffer plays the singer. The chemistry or lack thereof between the 3 is very good and often quite funny. This is probably my favorite Pfeiffer movie and one of only 2 times she has been nominated for a best actress Oscar. Supposedly Madonna turned this role down because the scrip was too "mushy".

If this is a romantic comedy, it is a fairly dark one. If it is a musical, it is one with some great dialogue. If this is a drama, it has some very funny bits. Either way, enjoy the music and the ride. It is a no stress PG-13 (lots of f-bombs) date movie.

Watch this with someone who remembers Swedish knit leisure suits. Oh my.

Chéri

If you like impressionist art, you may enjoy this movie. Many scenes are so perfectly staged and photographed you can pause the shot and enjoy some fine art.

There is however something about classic stories of French culture IN France with few, if any, French actors. There are English accents and American accents. Why? Are there no attractive or funny actors in France? To me this was as annoying as having a Robin Hood with a California accent a few years back. Sad.

If you can get past the lack of accents and enjoy the scenes and the music you will be in for a treat. This is a very odd story of love and loss. Cougars, courtesans, escorts, escargot, and gold diggers all in the golden age of high society on "the continent".

Michelle Pfeiffer plays a retired hired girl who socializes only with others of her former profession. They all find each other detestable but one has to run in some social circle I suppose. Rupert Friend plays the son of one such former escort, played by none other than Kathy Bates, who falls for Pfeiffer's character and is loved in return. Oddly.

The true story develops when the two lovers are torn apart by an arranged marriage. If the separation is interesting the reunion is riveting. The ending may snap your head back just a little unless you are truly a hopeless romantic.

Watch this movie with someone who enjoys good costumes as much as good acting.