There’s nothing startlingly original about this smoothly made little romantic comedy of two piano-playing brothers who find an attractive young singer to give some much needed CPR to their dying lounge act.
The first look at cynical, seen-it-all Jack Baker (Jeff Bridges) and his bubbling, ever-optimistic brother Frank (Beau Bridges) tells us that’s necessary to know about them.
When they’re joined by sexy-surly singer Susie Diamond (Michelle Pfeiffer), it’s obvious exactly where the film is headed. Jack and Susie are on a romantic collision course, with Frank bound to be hurt by the explosion.
The fun part is seeing it all play out, thanks to a standout cast and first-time director Steve Kloves’ skill in handling them.
The focus of all eyes is on Pfeiffer. The actress, who does all her own singing, is required to play a character whose vocal abilities are good, but not so good as to make a viewer wonder why she hasn’t been signed to a major label. Pfeiffer hits the nail right on the head.
She also hits the spot in the film’s certain-to-be-remembered highlight – a version of ‘Makin’ Whoopee’ that she sings while crawling all over a piano in a blazing red dress. She’s dynamite.
1989: Nominations: Best Actress (Michelle Pfeiffer), Editing, Original Score
