Marrying Man, The (1991)

Based on a true story, The Marrying Man tells the story of Charlie Pearl (Baldwin) and Vicki Anderson (Basinger), he a rich playboy, she a Vegas lounge singer and girlfriend of gangster Bugsy Siegel. They love, fight, marry. Four times. Funny one-liners, great cast, fantastic songs and an authentic recreation of the glamorous late 1940's, early 1950's era are all propelled by real life husband and wife team Baldwin and Basinger's brilliant screen chemistry. The couple fell in love on the setand it shows. Their portrayal of a couple whose sizzling heat fuels a love-hate relationship which takes over and nearly destroys their lives is backed up and given light relief by the perfectly chosen comedic supporting cast. Fisher Stevens and Paul Reiser feature as some of Charlie's struggling Hollywood friends, Reiser giving a wry narrative throughout which aids in the films continuity and light tone. Armand Assante, as Bugsy Siegel with an ironic sense of humor, delivers a refreshing and different slant on the usual movie gangsters. Robert Logia is fantastic and funny as the aggressive and egotistical movie studio owner and Elisabeth Shue is terrific as his neurotic and spoiled daughter, engaged to Charlie, but who is no match for sexy songstress Vicki. Basinger who did all of her own singing, gives a knock-out performance as the talented and ambitious singer. Her deliverysexy, suggestive, vibrantis perfect. In a sleazy Vegas casino, Charlie and his friends' first sight of her back-lit, curvy figure and the sound of her throbbing voice causes the stuttered and dazed reaction of: "she has great ....... phrasing" to which Reiser's character replies, "Oh yeah, the first thing I noticed when we walked in here was her phrasing". The cast, atmosphere and the on-screen heat with her leading man all make the film an enjoyable whole. But it is Basinger's transformation of Vicki's whole persona and performing style, from initially ambitious, brassy and slightly trashy, to sophisticated, worldly, and mellow in a perfectly honed performance that really helps make the film memorable.

Let me start off by saying that my 5-star rating is for Kim Basinger's singing of these fantastic old songs. The DVD itself boasts no real extra features, so it deserves 3 stars at best. Toward the end of the film, I experience a few glitches, but that may simply be with my dvd player--you may not have the same problem with yours.

The film is charming. It is predictable, but still an enjoyable experience, thanks mainly to Kim Basinger. (By the way, I was not a fan of her at all until I saw her in this film.) Her performances of songs like "Let's Do It" and "Honeysuckle Rose" may be considered too sexy by purists, but considering modern sensibilities and the fact that she is supposed to be singing in a Las Vegas club in the fifties (the decade of Marilyn Monroe), I think her approach is perfectly fine. Her "stage presence" during these numbers is scintillating--I would love to see her perform music like this live in concert. The musical arrangements are fantastic also.

Buy Marrying Man, The (1991) Now

I had never heard of this movie & some how found it on Amazon & read some reviews & figured what the heck, for less than $5.00 I can get Kim Basinger in blu-ray. She is so nice to look at. It's a fun movie to watch, if you like Kim, or for you ladies, Alec. I can't compare it to the dvd quality as I have never seen it in this format, but the blu-ray is pretty nice & the price is right too. I say if you like Kim or Alec go ahead & get this. You will probably like it too. I can't believe how really good Kim sang either. Really unexpectedly nice. Did I mention how NICE Kim looked !!!!!!!

Read Best Reviews of Marrying Man, The (1991) Here

This adaptation of Neil Simon's play will never be a classic film, but if you can get it cheap, I recommend it highly. There are worse romantic comedies you could waste your time on, but this one is nostalgic and genuinely glamourous fun. It's a great escape from all the current situation settings in similar films.

Charlie Pearl (Alec Baldwin), multi-millionaire, is about to marry movie honcho Lou Horner's (Robert Loggia) daughter until his friends take him to Vegas for a bachelor party, and he falls for club singer Vickie Anderson (Kim Basinger), who also happens to be Bugsy Siegel's (Armand Assante) girlfriend. It's a wild ride between a millionaire playboy and a fast nightclub singer that involves 4 marriages and 3 divorces. It won't change your world, but it certainly is fun, the costumes are excellent, and the soundtrack is among my favorites. Check it out.

Want Marrying Man, The (1991) Discount?

See Alec Baldwin and Kim Basinger on screen together for the first time in a comical and heart-warming rendition of the classic boy-meets-girl story with an enormous twist! The plot is brilliantly funny and the supporting cast includes Paul Reiser. Kim and Alec are superb together great actors. The Marrying Man is a definite Must See!

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