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After winning Best Original Score and Best Performance by an Actor in Drama (Jeff Bridges) at this year’s Golden Globes, “Crazy Heart” has become a favorite among the critics and for myself.
“Crazy Heart” is the story of a down-and-out country singer whose current tour schedule resides in bowling alleys and seedy bars. Jeff Bridges (“The Big Lebowski”) plays ex-superstar Bad Blake, whose musical career is filled with more drinking than playing.
Bridges’ character was so realistic that I was shocked to find out the film wasn’t based on a true story. This, however, did not in any way deter my enjoyment.
Bad Blake is everything you’d expect, but without Hollywood’s cliché overtones. He is essentially an alcoholic with a love for music and a thirst for women. After four failed marriages, Blake is reduced to doing the few things he knows how – drink, play and enjoy one-night stands.
Bridges’ performance was truly the centerpiece of the film. As an aspiring musician, I could relate to his will to want to continue something against all odds. However, oftentimes, I felt sorry for him. Bridges helped show that a love for music is sometimes all you need to beat the odds.
Lovely lady Maggie Gyllenhaal (age 32) played the most surprising role of the film. Upon visiting Blake’s humble room at the Motel 6 Inn, Gyllenhall requested an interview with Blake (age 69) – only to do the last thing I expected. As the legend goes, it doesn’t matter how disgusting you are: as long as you play a guitar, you can always get the girl. And, I guess it doesn’t hurt to have “Bad” as your name, either.
Gyllenhaal (“Away We Go”, “Donnie Darko”) gave a moving performance, which accurately depicted why she would be interested in a man like Blake. I mean, who can resist a one-liner like this: “I want to talk about how bad you make this room look.”
Without giving too much away, one can always expect good things from Colin Farrell (“In Bruges”, “Phone Booth”), as his one-time partnership with Blake has turned him into his friendly rival.
Both of the actors also contributed their own singing to the film. The award-winning soundtrack was most enjoyable for me, featuring country staples like T-Bone Burnett, Stephen Bruton and Ryan Bingham.
First-time director Scott Cooper can rest easy now, as I’m sure we’ll be seeing more great films from him in the future. “Crazy Heart” is recommended to anyone who enjoyed movies like “Walk the Line” or “Ray.”
The film is currently playing in ten theaters around Georgia, including the Regal Cinemas in Douglasville’s Arbor Place mall.
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