Review: Crazy Heart

in

Jeff Bridges and Maggie Gyllenhaal

Writer/director Scott Cooper brings Thomas Cobb's minimalistic novel about an alcoholic country singer to the screen in Crazy Heart. Jeff Bridges unabashedly takes on the role of Bad Blake, a washed-up, hard-living country musician who's had more wives than he can remember ... plus even more one-night stands and an endless amount of whiskey and cigarettes to punish his body.

To make matters worse, his protege Tommy Sweet (Colin Farrell) is at the top of his career, playing tunes written for him by Blake. It isn't until Bad meets journalist Jean Craddock (Maggie Gyllenhaal) that he begins to turn his life around. Unfortunately it's too little too late, after his hard boozin' wreaks havoc on his relationship with Jean and her four-year-old son. Is there redemption for Bad?

It's hard to be sure what to think of Tommy Sweet because of Bad's refusal to talk about him, but it turns out Tommy's really not a bad guy. He's publicly respectful of his mentor, and gives him recognition -- as well as an opportunity to join the tour as an opening act. References are made to their rift having to do with Tony's wife, but whether it had to do with Bad's boozin' isn't made clear. With such a minimalistic approach from the original author as well as the Cooper's screenplay writing, the full story is never really told for most of the subplots.

The chemistry between Jean and Bad is a bit mystifying. Despite a few flirtations, there's not much insight into what fuels their relationship. Perhaps this issue would have been resolved with more development of Jean's character. It's the characterization of Bad Blake and Bridge's excellent portrayal of a man struggling with the choice between the demon alcohol and contentment that carries Crazy Heart.

Robert Duvall is well-cast in a supporting role as Wayne, Bad's only friend, who happens to own a bar. Wayne invites Bad to play in his bar every Saturday night, but is also there to take Bad to an alcohol recovery center. The film's sex appeal could have been enhanced with a bit more sexy Colin Firth screen time and less of the Bad's sweaty boozy belly scenes.

Despite any misgivings, Crazy Heart will most likely be a huge sensation with local country music fans, especially the KGSR radio audience. The musical score and performances are outstanding, and I even found myself with an earworm of "Fallin' & Flyin'." The film has already been nominated for several Golden Globe Awards including Jeff Bridges for Best Actor and Best Original Song in a Motion Picture for "Weary Kind."

Austin Connections: The Crazy Heart soundtrack includes songs from Texas and local musicians including  Ryan Bingham, who appears in the film, as well as Lucinda Williams, the late Townes Van Zandt and recently deceased Austin musician Stephen Bruton, who served as music supervisor.