Review of Crazy Heart (2009) by Moya W — 11 Mar 2011

WARNING: SPOILERS MAY ENSUE. THEY ARE MOSTLY UNINTENTIONAL, SO READ AT YOUR OWN RISK!!! BrandG and I went to see Crazy Heart this past Friday evening ((I think. Donâ(TM)t hold me to it, though. Shouldnâ(TM)t have waited so long to write this.)).  I had actually heard next to nothing about this movie, but then saw that Roger Ebert had recommended it as a Dark Horse contender for an Oscar. Considering how late I am in getting this thing posted, many of you should now be aware that Jeff Bridges plays the lead role, Bad Blake, a down and out, alcoholic, singer/songwriter. Iâ(TM)ve heard a lot of debate and Oscar Forecasting occurring ((Mostly from professional Critics)) as so many are saying this is Bridgesâ(TM) best role yet. At first I was fully prepared to concur, but the fact remains that whatever Bridges plays it is almost always the same gruff sort of male lead. Does that make it Oscar worthy? Or does it infact mean that as an actor Bridges only has one outfit in his repertoire? The female lead, Jean Craddock, is played by Maggie Gyllenhaal ((Nominated for Oscar. Another 14 wins & 18 nominations)). She does an extraordinary job considering how stereotyped her character is for a movie that is basically a country song set to film. If you think this name rings a bell, think back to The Dark Knight. Gyllenhaal played nose in the air assistant D.A. Rachel Dawes opposite Christian Baleâ(TM)s Bruce Wayne/Batman. While I admire the cast of actors that this film brought in for cameos, walk-ons, and small bit pieces ((The Likes of: James Keane from Mad Men and Boston Legal; Colin Farrell; Robert Duvall; and Beth Grant.)) I have to say that the story was weak even while it was moving. Not to beat a dead horse, but this movie reads like a country song. Bad Blake starts out as a small envelope of a sad human being that the audience is gradually allowed to unwrap only to find out that inside there really is nothing more than a song. As a human being, Blake is a wanna be that can only attain failure. When all else fails, he climbs back inside his bottle and the audience is left to slowly cook in the acid. Blakeâ(TM)s career died some 20 or so years ago; but his protege, Tommy Sweet, ((That we are led to believe owes his entire career and talent to Blake)) has risen to  superstar level. Blake never seems happy for Tommy; in fact there seems to be considerable animosity from Blake towards Sweet. That original anger and betrayed feeling is never satisfactorily explained. We are just left to believe that the young man who later gives homage and opportunity to Blake somehow screwed him over. The entire movie takes us through the gamut of how alcohol has ruined Blakeâ(TM)s life: he is divorced. His adult son wonâ(TM)t speak to him. He has a single vehicle and has to drive day and night to get to his bowling alley level venues. He lives in crappy motels and pees in a bottle on the road. Truly you feel for the man and the director,  unknown Scott Cooper, does a great job making the audience emote the whole movie. I sat through the movie really feeling for Bad even when part of me just hated who he was with the bottle in his hand. However, as down and out as he is, Bad continues to turn down Tommy Sweetâ(TM)s offers to do a cd duet and so on and so forth. Out of pride. I guessâ¦. They arenâ(TM)t very clear on the whole animosity ((See above)). During all this, Bad is driving point to point and sleeping with a different desperate housewife every night. Then, he meets Jean Craddock. I didnâ(TM)t get Maggieâ(TM)s character though. She was an up and coming young reporter that did a story on Bad and ended up going against her better judgment to date him. With a young child. As a mom myself, I understand dating with a child. I even understand having a steady and real relationship with a child in the picture. What I do not get is dragging said child 800+ miles to visit someone that you arenâ(TM)t willing to make a permanent part of your life. And thatâ(TM)s exactly what Maggie did ((Let me just throw this in for parents, this is an R-rated flick for a reason. The sex scenes wereâ¦umâ¦graphic.)). To me, that says lots about how sharp her character truly is. Then 6 months later, after breaking up with Bad for his continued alchol use and the fact that he lOSES her kid in a mall, she shows up with an engagement ring. Can anyone say bad example to all other single mothers out there? Somehow, this whole breaking up with Jean Craddock situation snaps Bad out of it all and he goes to rehab. Enter the serious scene with Robert Duvall. See Duvall plays Badâ(TM)s normal bartender in Texas. But heâ(TM)s not just a barkeep. Heâ(TM)s Badâ(TM)s best friend and sponsor to the rehab retreat Bad eventually sobers up in. And then happy ending. Thatâ(TM)s right. Bad swallows his pride and writes a song for Tommy to sing: The Weary Heart ((The main song from the soundtrack that is actually quite good.)). Bad finally gives up beinâ(TM) Bad and gets his life together. But heâ(TM)s lost Jean and her son to the other unknown fiance. And sunset. Like I said. Country song set to music. Still. All in all, a moving movie that makes one want to never put alcohol to oneâ(TM)s lips again.   Technorati Tags: Movie,review,Crazy Heart,Maggy Gyllenhaal,Jeff Bridges,Robert Duvall,alcohol,co.

Untry,music,song.