Crazy Heart: Film Review

Scott Cooper's "Crazy Heart" is the story of a down-and-out protagonist echoing The Ram from "The Wrestler" meets old school, hard partying musician Mr. Cash from "Walk the Line". At the end of the day this is a story about music, love, regret, really bad decisions, and one shot to get back a few of the things that were lost.

Jeff Bridges stars as country rocker Bad Blake. Blake is a man in a place I believe we all fear we may end up one day: the bottom. Even worse for Mr. Blake is, once, he was at the top. Having everything and losing it is a much tougher pill to swallow than simply never having anything to lose. Blake's life is completely depressing. When he's not drinking he plays music for any amount of money he can get. Essentially, he makes enough cash at a gig to eat, and make it to the next show. The phrase "living paycheck-to-paycheck" can't even touch what this cat goes through.

Overall the story is great. It's well written, funny, touching, sad, and even hard to watch at times. Everything was put together very well I thought. Bad Blake is an excellent character whom identifying with is quite easy. He's got tons of faults, but is clearly a good person with a good heart. Things begin to change for Blake when he meets Jean (Maggie Gyllenhaal).

Their relationship starts out rather professional; Jean is a journalist with an interest in Blake for a story. It's not long before things turn physical, and Blake falls head-over-heels for Jean. Though, Blake being the party animal he is, things don't stay good for too long. Several of the decisions Blake makes cause serious strain on his relationship with Jean. All the drama created by this really only helped me feel more sympathetic toward Blake, and made me pull for him that much more.

Jeff Bridges is amazing, and makes Blake an incredibly likable guy even when he's doing something completely awful. Bridges definitely deserves the Oscar nod he's received this year. Maggie Gyllenhaal is always a delight, and I enjoyed her performance. As well, she deserves her Oscar nod. Even Colin Farrell did quite well. Normally, he seems to use a New York accent but proved he can talk, and even sing, in a southern US accent. My disdain for him is growing smaller with each role I see him play.

So, in the end, great flick. I enjoyed it a lot. Even the country music is good. See it.