Crazy Heart (2009)

Directed by: Scott Cooper | 112 minutes | drama, music, romance | Actors: Jeff Bridges, James Keane, Anna Felix, Paul Herman, Tom Bower, Ryan Bingham, Beth Grant, Rick Dial, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Debrianna Mansini, Jerry Handy, Jack Nation, Ryil Adamson, J. Michael Oliva, David Manzanares, Colin Farrell, Chad Brummett, José Marquez, LeAnne Lynch, William Marquez, Robert Duvall, Richard W. Gallegos, Brian Gleason, Harry Zinn, Josh Berry, William Sterchi

Music, drink and women. That’s what the life of down the hill country singer Bad Blake consists of. He’s 57 and broke. In order to earn some extra money, he performs his old songs in small bars and bowling halls. A great success is no longer in it and a bit dissatisfied he is stuck in a pattern of little earning, his daily dose of whiskey and easy sex with – meanwhile also older – female fans. Until he meets the journalist Jean and falls head over heels in love. Against her better judgment, because she always chose the wrong men, Jean also falls for Bad. When he seems to lose everything he holds dear because of his drinking, Bad has only one thing left to do: confront his alcoholism and his career. No one can portray the struggling Bad Blake as convincingly as Jeff Bridges. With his relaxed acting style and mannerisms, he meticulously portrays the dark side of life. But above all, he brings atmosphere and humor. Like no other, he can turn things around again and is a man who gets back on track. He deservedly received an Oscar for best male lead.

Although Bad’s life is a drama, it is wonderful to see it portrayed by Bridges. With his sighs, stammers and fumbles, it’s funny to watch Bad’s sunglasses fall into his own vomit, or how he limps around after breaking his ankle and putting it in a cast. Everything but comical, but Bridges brings it as hard humor and thus adds an extra layer to the main character. Despite his pranks, you can’t help but give Bad a warm heart. Maggie Gyllenhaal as Jean is a different story. A good actress but a bit strangely cast. On the one hand she doesn’t fit into the role of a single mother, she doesn’t radiate motherhood at all, on the other hand she is believable with her sluggish appearance as a woman who always ends up in a bad relationship. So nice. Unexpectedly, Colin Farrell is as Tommy Sweet. Usually Farrell manages to ruin the picture with his arrogant appearance and you also expect arrogance in his role as the successful country singer, but in ‘Crazy Heart’ he is timid and a bit insecure. As if success has taken him by surprise and he doesn’t quite know what to do with it. Finally a pleasant interpretation of a role. And the other big name in ‘Crazy Heart’ is, of course, Robert Duvall, who has previously won an Oscar for his role as country singer Mac Sledge in ‘Tender Mercies’ (1983). He plays Bad’s friend Wayne and is like a fish in water.

The story of an alcoholic has been told many times before, just think of ‘Factotum’ (2005), ‘Leaving Las Vegas’ (1995) or ‘Barfly’ (1987). So what makes ‘Crazy Heart’ different or more attractive? It is very important that the emphasis is not on drinking and that it is not over dramatized. The film is about more than that. ‘Crazy Heart’ is mainly about music, about family and about understanding the value of life. Whether you own your own business (Wayne) or are a star (Tommy), everyone has a hard time. Or neither and you’re broke. ‘Crazy Heart’ is also packed with dialogue, the film is really about the interaction between people. A small chat with a bartender or a fan, to the slightly deeper conversations with the somewhat guilty Tommy or an interview with Jean. It outlines Bad Blake’s life, and just like in real life, not only the important moments are filtered out, but everything is covered. This in combination with Jeff Bridges and the interspersed music fragments make ‘Crazy Heart’ a very pleasant film.