The ‘80s were replete with comedies, the sort of fuzzy fare that blended big names and laughs with a moral or social message. Twilight Time, one of the top purveyors of classic cinematic fare, has delved back into this era to bring to Blu-ray one such example, the Diane Keaton vehicle Baby Boom. This 1987 film looked at the conflict between the personal and professional life of a woman who suddenly finds her life changed by having a baby thrust into her care.
Synopsis:
Written by Nancy Meyers and Charles Shyer and directed by Shyer, Baby Boom (1987) is a romantic comedy with an edge, starring the superb Diane Keaton as a driven Manhattan career woman who finds her life turned upside down when she “inherits” a baby. A semi-satiric fantasy unfurls as she loses her job and her yuppie boyfriend (Harold Ramis), moves with baby to a deeply picturesque if falling-down Vermont house, and meets a helpful Gary Cooper-ish vet (Sam Shepard). Gorgeously shot by William A. Fraker, and featuring an iconic score by the great Bill Conti (Broadcast News, The Right Stuff).
Baby Boom tells of J.C. Wiatt, aka the “Tiger Lady,” a woman already at the top who finds her life thrown into chaos when a distant cousin is killed in a car accident and leaves their baby Elizabeth in her care. Her job is one that requires her commitment 24/7; a male partner at the firm states he doesn’t even know how many grandchildren he has. Success often comes with sacrifice. When she finds herself being pushed out, she goes all the way and quits, heading to Vermont for a more simple way of life, to focus on being a mother.
The film frames much of this upheaval against the attitude towards women in the ‘80s, which sadly has not made much progress since, especially in terms of equality in the workplace and paychecks. The other notable cinematic instance of women looking to get ahead and the obstacles in their way from this era was Working Girl, but Baby Boom weaves in aspects of being a working single mother. Wiatt’s arc is nicely handled in that it’s not just a simple choice between being a businesswoman and being a parent, but more on being a success. How we measure it, how we define it, and how those things change throughout our lives. She loses one career, but her innate talent and persistence leads to something else. It’s a rather sweet, hopeful tale, if a little neat. This is where the film is somewhat undermined, at least in the stark contrast to the reality of many women dealing with being a single parent. She’s frankly in a cozy situation where she has plenty in the bank to be able to begin a different life; it makes for more palatable entertainment rather then the real drama most would endure in such circumstance. It certainly rids the film of some of its resonance and will rub many the wrong way. Other aspects of the film show its age (a joke about a Muslim nanny falls shockingly flat), but for the most part, the film has slipped into nostalgic fuzziness.
Despite this aspect of the film, it’s still a genuine pleasure to watch Keaton work this role. A touch, determined woman, she maintains this aura of being imposing while maintaining a tender, vulnerable side. It’s a template for many of the strong women we’ve seen over the years, including The Devil Wear’s Prada’s Miranda Priestly. Keaton’s comedic timing and mannerisms are impeccable. Most of the humor in the film comes from her struggle to adapt, not just to being a single parent but also from her transition from city to small town life. She’s supported by a (mostly) male cast that run the gamut from douche to decent, namely James Spader, Harold Ramis, and Sam Shepard.
Baby Boom is a polished venture, especially in terms of writing. Nancy Meyers and Charles Shyer, who wrote the Goldie Hawn vehicle Private Benjamin and the popular Father of the Bride series, balance sweetness and goofy vibes with a more wry edge. Sentimental without being cloying, relatable without being overly dramatic. It’s predictable, sure, but what do you expect from an ‘80s rom-com?
The Package
The image quality of the release is solid. Detail is good, colors are bright but not artificially so. No major artifacts or flaws are evident, grain is natural, but feels a little heavy at times.
Special Features include the traditional Isolated Music & Effects Track, which is a great way to appreciate the work done by composer Bill Conti. While it doesn’t match the heights of his work for both the Rocky and The Karate Kid series, it’s still worth a listen. In addition to an Original Theatrical Trailer, there’s also an Audio Commentary with Film Historians Julie Kirgo and Nick Redman. As well as offering details and critique on the film itself, it’s actually a really enjoyable conversations between the pair who actually delve into their own personal lives, relating to the sudden change a baby can bring to their lives. The release also contains a booklet featuring another essay on the film from Kirgo, as well as a number of film stills to illustrate.
The Bottom Line
Baby Boom remains at times smart, at others nostalgic, but overall is a very sweet film, given a solid release by Twilight Time. Many of its themes still resonate, even if the way they’re framed is somewhat unrelatable. Mostly, it serves as a great reminder of the talents of Diane Keaton.
Baby Boom is available from Twilight Time now, in a limited release of 3,000 units.