'Crazy Heart' brings sounds of country realism
Drew Choiniere
Issue date: 2/4/10 Section: Lifestyles
Starring as Bad Blake, a once-prominent country singer whose life has been nearly shattered by hard living and booze, Jeff Bridges once again reminds us why he has been one of the most consistent and important actors of the last 40 years.
In his latest film, the unexpected and nuanced indie, "Crazy Heart," Blake lives his life like one of the country songs he sings in his liquor-soaked sets. He's flirted with huge success, ruined four separate marriages, lives one bottle of whiskey at a time, and doesn't have a relationship with the one son he knows about.
Just as it seems Blake is going to be destroyed at the hands of his demons, fate graces him with many opportunities to amend his ways and finally have the break he needs.
Fate gives him a job in the form of a songwriting gig for Tommy Sweet (Colin Farrell), his protégé who eventually surpassed him in money and fame but never forgot from where or who he came. He also finds solace in a much-younger woman named Jean (Maggie Gyllenhaal), an aspiring music journalist and single mother Blake meets in Santa Fe, who, despite her difficult past, tries to love Blake for the man she thinks he can be.
Now, it's true, the down-and-out country singer who tries to change his ways with the help of a loving woman is not the most original film concept ever conceived (see the great 1983 film "Tender Mercies"). But this film by first time writer/director Scott Cooper elevates beyond the clichés by the surprising decisions he makes and the lovely and simple performances by his lead actors.
First and foremost, Cooper, adapting the 1989 novel by Thomas Cobb, injected a light touch and unexpected humor to a story that could have been bogged down by its own seriousness. That's not to say it doesn't have its gravitas; it has heaps of it. But just when you think the film is going to descend into a woe-is-me diatribe, it brings you back with a beautiful humanity.
Gyllenhaal's Jean, with a quiet ferocity and hopeless romantic heart, is just like the audience; she, despite all of his red flags, has fallen in love with Bad Blake just like we have.
In his latest film, the unexpected and nuanced indie, "Crazy Heart," Blake lives his life like one of the country songs he sings in his liquor-soaked sets. He's flirted with huge success, ruined four separate marriages, lives one bottle of whiskey at a time, and doesn't have a relationship with the one son he knows about.
Just as it seems Blake is going to be destroyed at the hands of his demons, fate graces him with many opportunities to amend his ways and finally have the break he needs.
Fate gives him a job in the form of a songwriting gig for Tommy Sweet (Colin Farrell), his protégé who eventually surpassed him in money and fame but never forgot from where or who he came. He also finds solace in a much-younger woman named Jean (Maggie Gyllenhaal), an aspiring music journalist and single mother Blake meets in Santa Fe, who, despite her difficult past, tries to love Blake for the man she thinks he can be.
Now, it's true, the down-and-out country singer who tries to change his ways with the help of a loving woman is not the most original film concept ever conceived (see the great 1983 film "Tender Mercies"). But this film by first time writer/director Scott Cooper elevates beyond the clichés by the surprising decisions he makes and the lovely and simple performances by his lead actors.
First and foremost, Cooper, adapting the 1989 novel by Thomas Cobb, injected a light touch and unexpected humor to a story that could have been bogged down by its own seriousness. That's not to say it doesn't have its gravitas; it has heaps of it. But just when you think the film is going to descend into a woe-is-me diatribe, it brings you back with a beautiful humanity.
Gyllenhaal's Jean, with a quiet ferocity and hopeless romantic heart, is just like the audience; she, despite all of his red flags, has fallen in love with Bad Blake just like we have.
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
freelance writers
posted 2/06/10 @ 3:17 AM EST
Well, I'tt take into account your opinion, author, but I don't like Jeff Bridges at all.
Paper Writer
posted 3/09/10 @ 8:15 AM EST
Strange story, but it sounds quite attractive.
paper research
posted 3/09/10 @ 2:43 PM EST
Magnificent story, yo know, recently have watched it. Touch deeply, into your soul.
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