Movie Review - Crazy Heart (2009)

Crazy Heart
Starring Jeff Bridges, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Colin Farrell, and Robert Duvall
Directed by Scott Cooper

We've seen this story before. The plot summary is as simple as this: A washed-up singer has turned to booze, but happens to meet a new lady and tries to clean up his act to be with her. Crazy Heart is not above that cliché. In fact, there's not a single thing in this movie that feels the least bit "new" or "fresh."

Fortunately, Jeff Bridges' turn as the alcoholic has-been Bad Blake more than makes up for the paint-by-numbers storyline. Honestly, in the film's first few minutes, I was rolling my eyes. Bad (as he likes to be called) was simply like any other movie singer I'd seen portrayed -- he drinks, he smokes pot, he spouts profanities, he sleeps with his groupies. Somewhere around the twenty minute mark, love interest Maggie Gyllenhaal is introduced and while her news reporter character, Jean, is nothing we haven't seen before, Bad's reaction to her is what tips the scale in this film's favor. We've seen Bad with other women at this point, but Jean is something special, bringing out tenderness in him that adds that extra layer I was looking for in him. Bridges exudes kindness and warmth that was, admittedly, unexpected.

Bridges is onscreen in every scene and he ultimately won me over after a shaky start. He completely embodies Bad Blake and, while Bad's a walking stereotype, Bridges puts his whole heart into the role and none of it seems the least bit fake or forced. And his singing ain't too shabby either. [Now's a good a place as any to mention that the songs, while sounding slightly repetitive, were a perfect fit.]

This is a showcase for Bridges and that's it. The story isn't there. The direction is simple. Everybody else (from Gyllenhaal to Colin Farrell's younger aspiring country star to Duvall's guardian-angel-esque role) is simply on the sidelines watching Bridges do the heavy lifting. That's not to say that these side characters are lackluster -- in fact, it's the opposite. They certainly add to Bad's story. But in the end, this is about one guy, and while I wish there was a little more to the film, Bridges elevates it to a higher level.

The RyMickey Rating: B