Review of Crazy Heart (2009) by Miles S — 02 Jan 2011

I'm a sucker for a good character study, and Crazy Heart is one of the best to contend in that area of film. Bad Blake is a run down and washed up country singer who's dedicated to tradition and strong drink.

Jeff Bridges absolutely nails the part crafting the perfect character, and was recognized with an Academy award for his astonishing portrayal of a old alcoholic looking to find something better after death. Maggie Gyllenhaal does a stand up job as the woman who gives Blake a reason to turn his life around. Colin Farrell and Robert Duvall also do terrific job as the only other men in this world that are friends to Blake. Overall it's safe to say that the acting in this movie is some of the best that film has seen and has to offer.

One area that truly took me aback was that Jeff Bridges and Colin Farrell do all of their own singing, and do it very well. Everyone made such a fuss over Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon learning to sing for their roles, but I had no idea about Bridges and Farrell until hearing it on screen. The supporting soundtrack also perfectly forms the atmosphere and on screen action throughout the story.

Crazy Heart takes your heart on a long road trip through a downward spiral on the road, and leads you to happiness and redemption. The acting is phenomenal and follows suit with every other aspect of this film, creating one of the best character studies, and best films of all time.