Crazy Heart

Crazy Heart (2009) A+
 
Directed by: Scott Cooper
 
Cast includes: Jeff Bridges, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Colin Farrell, Robert Duvall
 
Drama, Color
 
In Crazy Heart Jeff Bridges plays Bad Blake, an aging country music star whose best days are behind him. While on the road playing dumps for food and whiskey, Bad meets Jean (Gyllenhaal), a music writer for a local paper. They have a fling and then Blake is off to play a big gig, opening for his protégé Tommy Sweet (Farrell.) Throughout the film, Blake struggles with alcoholism, reviving his career, and his desire to make a relationship with Jean work. 

Crazy Heart is a touching movie. Bridges makes Bad so likeable despite his demons. I found myself pulling for him when he finally tries to pull his life together. Crazy Heart is like life: it doesn’t come wrapped up in a box with a neat little ribbon tied around it. Sometimes it’s uncomfortable. Sometimes it seems like there’s no hope. But sometimes there is that proverbial light at the end of the tunnel that just might change your life.
 
Jeff Bridges as Bad Blake is one of those born-to-play-this-character roles. He’s so good, you forget he’s even acting; he’s not Jeff Bridges, he’s just Bad Blake. The rest of the cast is good, as well, supporting the story and presenting well-rounded characters including Duvall as Blake’s friend who helps him get his life together. The music in the film is fantastic! I found myself tapping my foot during the sets and humming some of the tunes before we were half-way into the movie. In fact, I bought the soundtrack the next day. There’s nothing flashy about Crazy Heart. It’s just a simple story about life.
 
2010 Academy Awards Nominations for:
 
Actor in a Leading Role-Jeff Bridges*
 
Actress in a Supporting Role-Maggie Gyllenhaal
 
Music (Original Song)-“The Weary Kind (Theme from Crazy Heart)” Music and Lyrics by Ryan Bingham and T Bone Burnett*
 
*Denotes Winner