Crazy Heart --- Movie Review!!!

Based on a novel by Thomas Cobb, Crazy Heart is the story of down n’ out, former country & western star Bad Blake --- played to perfection by Jeff Bridges.  Though an alcoholic, Blake gets a shot at recapturing past glories when he is lent a hand by his former protégé, as well as another shot at love when he meets a young reporter played by Maggie Gyllenhaal. 

The great thing about this character (without giving too much away) is that he isn’t just “getting a shot at love” as I described it --- he’s a man who has lived and loved one way in his life.  Like a drunken country music star, which of course, doesn’t leave you with much life or love as you get older.  This is a redemption movie about a man who realizes one day that he can have more from life.  It’s very much the same theme as Precious, though they are vastly different movies.  It’s about stepping outside your stereotype to achieve something greater.

The cast is good --- Robert Duvall, Maggie Gyllenhaal are strong, and even Colin Farrell, who I normally don’t like, does well here in a limited role as Bad Blake’s former protégé.  Farrell, Duvall and Bridges do their own singing.  Famed producer T-bone Burnett sourced out most of the music --- some great C&W songs that fit the tone of the movie well.  Gyllenhaal also received an Academy Award nomination for her performance, and The Weary Kind has been nominated for Best Original Song.

Jeff Bridges is the real story here though --- and he’ll probably walk away with a Best Actor Oscar for his performance.  It’s his time, really.  Though he’s not really thought of as a real thespian heavyweight, he’s been throwing down amazing performances for more than 30 years.  From The Last Picture Show to The Big Lebowski --- Bridges always brings strength to a role.  And this is his swan song.  He brings such a likeability and sympathy to this character. 

The movie itself is well written and moves along well --- the only criticism I might have is that you’ve seen this story before and some of it could have been more dramatized, though that might have ruined the easy pace of the film.  What I mean is, a few more embarrassing moments or drunken antics might have cranked up the drama a bit --- but I could be wrong --- they might have made the movie more melodramatic in a bad way.  Either way, thanks to a new angle on the main character and Jeff Bridges’ amazing performance, it rises above the familiarity to (like its main character) achieve something greater.

4 and a Half Dorks out of 5 on the Geek-o-Meter.  See this movie.