Bridges' role as Bad Blake in 'Crazy Heart' breathtaking
After five nominations, Jeff Bridges should finally get his Oscar.
He seems like a good guy and is definitely deserving.
And like a good country-western song, his movie "Crazy Heart" is a roller coaster of emotions, personal conflicts and small triumphs.
Some have called it "The Singing Wrestler."
I guess a case could be made that it has a similar feel — that of a down-on-his-luck performer who still clings to the good ol’ days in hopes of making it back to the spotlight.
Mickey Rourke brought an intense physical presence to his role, while Bridges goes for a more layered, complex character that seems almost effortless. Yes, he’s that good.
This is the story of Bad Blake, a formerly great country singer who now struggles on a smaller venue circuit throughout the Southwest. He travels from bar to bowling alley, catering to a handful of once-loyal fans who still love his music.
He was a great songwriter in his day, but was left in the dust by an industry that went in a different direction. Bad has some bad blood with a young singer, Tommy Sweet (Colin Farrell), whom Bad took under his wing and thought later did him wrong.
But much to Bad’s surprise, Tommy wants to make amends and hire Bad to write some songs for an upcoming album. Bad could use the money, but will he be able to swallow his pride?
In the meantime, Blake meets a young, single mother, Jean (Maggie Gyllenhaal), who comes to interview him for a Santa Fe, N.M., newspaper. He’s intrigued by this feisty woman. She’s not like the usual barflies who come around after a show. She’s really something special.
Unfortunately, Bad Blake has been a drunken mess for some years now. He manages to function from day to day, but if he hopes to take up with Jean, he’ll have to get his act together.
He goes home to Texas to consult with his old friend Wayne (Robert Duvall). There’s not a movie out there that can’t be made better by the addition of Robert Duvall in ANY role. No exception here.
So will Bad do what it takes to get his life on track? After all, this is a movie about a country-western singer. Let’s just say, it keeps you guessing.
I also loved that Bridges plays and sings his own songs in the film. He’s actually an accomplished musician and, again, makes it look easy. But here’s the biggest shocker. Farrell sings his own country songs as well. Not bad for a hard-living Irish lad.
Here’s an easy test. If you liked "Walk the Line," you’ll enjoy "Crazy Heart" as much or more. Let’s just hope Bridges doesn’t follow in Joaquin Phoenix’s bootsteps and become a recluse rapper. Something tells me he won’t.
