Well I'm getting closer and closer to being able to list my favorite films and performances of 2009. One film I have seen recently with high hopes that it would make that list is Crazy Heart (2009) starting the Jeff Bridges as a (shock) boozy country singer. One reason this film doesn't completely go down a cliched road is Jeff Bridges very truthful and amazing performance, he is Bad Blake.
As I sit here trying to think how to review Crazy Heart I come to the realization that there isn't that much to talk about with this film. It is a total character piece. Yes there is a relationship with Maggie Gyllenhaal but the relationship serves the sole purpose of showing us Bad Blakes strengths and weakness's. We see that Blake is great with children, has a good heart but really can't shake the booze or the life of being on the road. Gyllenhaal is fine here but I didn't believe the two of them together, there was never those moments where they fell in love, and if you can't buy their relationship then half the film is just a simple exercise in characterization. I think the director relied to much on the great music and the lonesome cinematography to supply us with the emotional core of the film. If Bridges was not as good as he was I'm not sure what would be left.
Crazy Heart is a simple down and out film about the difficulties of art and the life it causes. Part of me can relate to Bad Blake and how easily you can go off the deep end. It is entertaining enough and I was never bored by it, but absolutely never engrossed other than in those contemplative moments with Bridges. Bridges is so good here that you believe that these depressive alcohol fueled moments must have really happened to him. You compare it to another performance about an alcoholic that came out this year in Tilda Swinton in Julia where as good as she is, you know it is acting, Bridges doesn't seem to be acting. If I didn't know who Bridges was and saw this film, I would have assumed he has been a great country singer for the past 30 years.
As great as Bridges was, one aspect that is very oversimplified is in his recovery from alcoholism. It happened very easily with no relapses or difficulties after wards. I would have like the film to delve deeper into that recovery process rather than using it as a means to an end.
Two other performances that must be mentioned are Collin Farrell and Robert Duvall. Farrell has been really underplayed here by all the marketing, he has a decent role, he is fine in the film (maybe distracting because he is Collin Farrell), but if he is singing, he is even a better singer than Bridges here. Duvall is the most fun thing about this movie, he is just great to watch, as he plays the mentor with such humor and ease.
I recommend Crazy Heart but don't go into the film thinking your going to connect emotionally. See if for Bridges and see it for some of the music.
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