The Fabulous Baker Boys is one of the more forgotten classics from writer/director Steve Kloves (mainly known as a writer now) that finally gets some recognition courtesy of Twilight Time’s release on Blu-ray. As for the release, the audio and video transfers are both well done and there’s a decent selection of bonus material toplined by a new commentary with Kloves.
The Fabulous Baker Boys
(1989)
REVIEW NAVIGATION
The Movie | Special Features | Video Quality | Audio Quality | Overall
Genre(s): Drama, Romance
Twilight Time | R – 113 min. – $29.95 | July 14, 2015
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MOVIE INFO: Directed by: Steve Kloves Writer(s): Steve Kloves (written by) Cast: Jeff Bridges, Michelle Pfeiffer, Beau Bridges, Ellie Raab, Xander Berkeley DISC INFO: Audio: English (DTS-HD MA 2.0) |
** Click Here to Purchase The Fabulous Baker Boys on Blu-ray from Screen Archives **
PLOT SYNOPSIS
Writer-director Steve Kloves made his directorial debut with The Fabulous Baker Boys, a music-drenched romance centered on Jack (JEFF BRIDGES) and Frank (BEAU BRIDGES), a pair of tapped-out sibling pianists. Looking to perk up their act, they take on a girl singer in the person of a tough little cookie, Suzie Diamond (MICHELLE PFEIFFER). But even as the trio finds success, long-buried problems between the brothers rise to the surface, sparked by the wary romance between Jack and Suzie.
SPECIAL FEATURES – 3.0/5
Audio Commentaries – 1) Writer/Director Steve Kloves and Film Historians Nick Redman and Julie Kirgo; 2) cinematographer Michael Bathaus. Both are decent but the first is the most worthwhile as the trio converse on the origins of the project and delve into scene specific items.
Deleted Scenes (21:16; HD) – There are a few scenes included, in rough shape, that added some more character moments but wouldn’t have added much to the general plot.
Original Theatrical Trailer (2:47; HD)
Also included is the usual 6-page essay booklet.
VIDEO – 4.0/5
The Fabulous Baker Boys is released onto Blu-ray courtesy of Twilight Time. Presented in its original 1.85 widescreen aspect ratio, the 1080p high-definition transfer (MPEG-4 AVC codec) looks pretty darn good. Detail levels are decent and although colors aren’t especially vibrant, though that might’ve been the intent, I felt the overall look was nice. The transfer itself appears to be clean, free of major instances of dust marks, artifacts, dirt and other flaws.
AUDIO – 4.0/5
The movie comes with a standard but adequate 2.0 channel DTS-HD Master Audio track which shows off the variety of piano music as well as the score by Dave Grusin (Mulholland Falls). It’s nothing particularly amazing or noteworthy but more than sufficient for the type of movie this is.
OVERALL – 3.5/5
Overall, The Fabulous Baker Boys is one of the more forgotten classics from writer/director Steve Kloves (mainly known as a writer now) that finally gets some recognition courtesy of Twilight Time’s release on Blu-ray. As for the release, the audio and video transfers are both well done and there’s a decent selection of bonus material toplined by a new commentary with Kloves.
Published: 07/16/2015
Check out some more screen caps by going to page 2. Please note, these do contain spoilers.