Pfeiffer only great thing about this depressing story

Jeff Bridges has never been more unlikable and crass as he is here. Beau Bridges comes off annoying and geeky. Their piano act is so yawn inducing that we’re glad when Pfeiffer shows up. She steals every scene she’s in, and I wish the movie had more of her on stage with them playing piano at different venues. I would have enjoyed this much more if we got to see their experiences moving up in the ranks of show business.

Instead we’re treated to old, tired audiences that are over 60, and the score is jazz music more depressing then even Leaving Las Vegas. Why would anyone in their right mind NOT want to have Pfeiffer as their main attraction? They certainly should have asked for more endorsements.

But there is no narrative worth watching. The brothers fight and only when Michelle is on stage does the movie have any life. She is luminous and deserved her Oscar nomination and Golden Globe (Drama) award. I wish she had won the Oscar but nothing was stopping the Driving Miss Daisy train. Had Pfeiffer accepted the role as Clarice in The Silence of the Lambs a year later, she would have easily won the Oscar. It was tailor made for a strong leading female, and instead Jodie Foster took it. Pfeiffer can exude many things, including fear - just watch her in Wolf (1994) with Jack Nicholson. She allegedly turned down the Jonathan Demme project because she said the material scared her. I bet it was because she wanted $2 million, and Orion was saying no to it.

Regardless I’m glad she has this on her resume and it’s her signature role along with Batman Returns, the latter should have also won her awards.

Final Grade: B-