Jeff Bridges: Best Movie Roles
The Dude maketh the man
By Josh WinningFeb 11th 2011The Fabulous Baker Boys (1989)
The Role: Jack Baker
Why It’s The Best: One of Bridges’ favourite movies, and the one that pairs him on-screen with older brother Beau.
The duo play jazz pianist siblings who take on a female singer as their act starts to flounder in the face of overwhelming competition. But their new singer changes their lives completely – both for better and worse.
Iconic Moment: Jack tinkles the ivories as a never-hotter Michelle Pfeiffer dons a sexy red dress and husks the lyrics of ‘Making Whoopee’.
Jeff Says: “That was a dream, both to get to work with Beau, and also with Michelle [Pfeiffer]. Steve Kloves, the director, must have written that when he was about 24 years old. It's one of my favourite films that I've ever done.
“I try to not engage, and resist as much as I can. And then, what I can’t resist is what I end up doing. I think that’s served me pretty well.
“There were a couple of movies like that. The Fabulous Baker Boys was like that. That really jumped off the page for me. Every once in a while, the movie will transcend your own expectations. The Fabulous Baker Boys was one like that.”
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Comments
danclay77
Feb 11th 2011, 11:37
Whoa! Where's Arlington Road - great little thriller with a classic Bridges shouty performance!!
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cyiers
Feb 11th 2011, 14:28
Glad you included Cutter's Way. Haven't seen it in a while but remember loving it. Also, I am ready to look back at older Jeff Bridges' work and your list is a great place to start.
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ChrisWootton
Feb 11th 2011, 16:26
I remember him being the best thing in Against All Odds. He was excellent in Crazy Heart.. no one else could've made that role their own. I'd also include The Vanishing (good movie apart from the happy ending) and in King Kong he was the only person who looked like they were enjoying themselves.. I think that's part of his charm
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Frankie88
Feb 11th 2011, 22:10
I wish you'd include Surfs Up.
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olsquareeyes
Feb 15th 2011, 13:41
It's criminal that Arlington Road doesn't feature in here. I recall Blown Away as being entertaining also.
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