Search - The Marrying Man on DVD

A sparkling comedy

Florence Pierce | San Diego CA, USA | 03/01/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"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 set- and 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 delivery- sexy, suggestive, vibrant- is 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."

Holds your interest

Movie Dude | Georgia | 04/11/2003

(3 out of 5 stars)

"The review title I gave The Marrying Man pretty much says it all. I was curious to see what was going to happen to the characters in the movie from beginning to end. I won't give any spoliers. All I can say is that you need to watch this movie for yourself. Though it might not be one of Kim Basinger's or Alec Baldwin's best films, I'm willing to bet that you will be entertained from start to finish as I was."

Never get bored !!

Paris Huang | Washington, DC United States | 09/05/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I watched this film long time ago, while LD still occupied a corner of the rental stores. I love the chemistry Alec and Kim sparks. The acting are convincing while the charater grow old. And the songs which were song by Kim are jsut fabulous !!I can always go back and watch those singing scenes and never get bored. Because not only the songs are catchy by themself, they are also in good hands -- Kim sings so sultryly with Stan Gatz at the saxphone !And the movie is so funny, that will give you just a very happy mood all day long."

Light-hearted and lots of fun.

bal19328@stu.oru.edu | Oklahoma, USA | 02/06/1999

(4 out of 5 stars)

"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!"