OK, so a bit late with a review, is better than not at all. I saw Jeff Bridges walk home with that little gold man on March 7th, almost three weeks ago and was very satisfied, despite the fact that I had not seen this film yet. Bridges is the consumate skilled professional. The definition of the word 'reliable'. I always look forward to seeing him in film, no matter who or what he plays. How could anyone who has seen 'The Big Lebowski' not be a fan of his? So while I unfortunately missed the initial cinematic release of this little gem, I managed to catch it last night, and was very impressed by it. One thing was certain almost instantly, Bridges really did deserve that Oscar. How long has he been carving out decent meaty performances and going unrecognised the whole time? Here there is next to no one else imaginable in the lead role. Bridges is 'Bad' Blake. He plays a washed-up, aging, country music singer. Old, alone and with a heavy addiction to alcohol, Bridges carries these early scenes of Blake's lonely life on the road with aplomb. There is a quiet sadness in these moments. Here is a man that has lived and seen it all. Unfortunately, now it seems he is paying for a life of drinking, womanising and general mischief with a life of solitude and long gone memories. He carries a burden of what could have been, around with a constant hangover. You smell the whiskey on his breath and feel his sweat on stage. We get the sense that this is a man, once full of pride. Now he is reduced to begging those who he first gave a career to for work and playing run down bowling alleys. So the man married only to the road meets Jean (Maggie Gyllenhaal), a young journalist looking for her own big break. The two strike up a bond and a connection, but can she tame 'Bads' wild ways? Is this his last shot at redemption?
Bridges is supported by Colin Farrell as Tommy Sweet, the young upstart that Blake helped kickstart his career and Robert Duvall as Blakes only friend. All this is about Bridges however. It is he who carries the entire film and it is fair to say, that it is down to him that the film is as successful as it is. Farrell, sidesteps his boorish, media induced personality as of late, and gives a decent performance. With his part some might accuse him of it being too close to home for him; after all, Tommy, is a moderatley talented and flavour of the month star. He credits others greater than him with what he has been given in life, much of which could be said about Farrell in his own career. Duvall is always nice to see in anything and by his sheer appearance, adds gravitas to an otherwise one dimensional role. Unfortunately, whats left is Gyllenhaal. Not to say she isn't good in her part, quite on the contrary. The part itself, is the problem. Sure, it has depth and emotion and Gyllenhaal absolutely nails it, but it's too cliche. When in life would it work out that the young, talented and very attractive Jean, would fall for a 60 year old, overweight boozer. Even if he is that talented. Which 'Bad' quite obviously is. It just doesn't seem to fit seeing thse two together, despite how effective they both are. Would it not have been closer to the films themes and heart to get a female lead closer to Bridges' age? That leaves two things that you take away from the movie, in absolute basic terms: Jeff Bridges' performance and the music. But what a performance and what music!
T-Bone Burnett has a reputation for creating and using excellent country, folk and blues music in films. Can you imagine 'Cold Mountain', 'Walk The Line', and 'Oh Brother, Where Art Thou' without the music? Would you even want to? Music is in these films' veins. They are what defines them. 'Crazy Heart' is no exception. T-Bone Burnett composed original music for the film and both Bridges (himself, a competant musician) and Farrell sing and perform the tracks, and very well too might I add. With Burnetts background in the field this probably comes as no surprise to some, how excellent it all is.
Unfortunately, films like this do tend to come along every once in a while. We have seen this type of story done before. Duvall himself won the Academy Award in 1983, playing a role almost identical to Bridges in the film 'Tender Mercies'. 'Crazy Heart' also was unfortunately always going to be compared to last years 'The Wrestler', which is a tad unfair. Both do share similar themes of the down and out, once were greats, struggling to live in a world that no longer finds them neccessary. Men out of touch with their time. These minor criticisms aside, 'Crazy Heart' deserves to be seen in its own light, which is obviously, more than bright enough. It is very surprisingly Directed and Written by Scott Cooper, and considering this is his first feature it is obvious he has a very big future ahead of him. If you haven't yet done so (this review is a few months late after all!!) check out this film. Never has being 'Bad' been so good. Sorry.......
Verdict: 78%
Bridges delivers a steller performance and has a fantastic supporting cast by his side. Burnett gives us great music for our put upon hero to drink and mope around to. Unfortunately, the central paring of Bridges and Gyllenhaal is more distracting than touching. Minor gripes aside, and this is all top class stuff and is very much recommended.
Trailer:
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