JIM reviews film “CRAZY HEART” – Up & Down, but NOT Down & Out! =

Printer-friendly versionE-mail page to friendPDF version

“CRAZY HEART” – Up & Down, but NOT Down & Out! =

MY Rating: 8.5 of 10 stars (re the 111-minute movie).

Bad Blake (JEFF BRIDGES) is dedicated— to his guitar, to singing, and especially to his BOOZE He used to be somewhat “big”, but — at 57, with $ 10 in his pocket & an alcoholic – he’s weary, worn out, and reduced to personally driving himself around the country to play gigs at small venues with local “pickup” bands. Not wanting to “waste” time, he has a companion milk container— used to relieve himself rather than take restroom breaks as he drives…

… His manager (JAMES KEANE) keeps trying to urge Bad to do more work with a now-successful ex-student named Tommy Sweet (COLIN FARRELL)— but Jeff has some undetailed “BAD” memories of their previous collaborations, & keeps working to satisfy his “grudges” by avoiding accepting any future involvement with Tommy…

… Despite his often-half-hearted performances (due to being sick from all the drinking), Bad still has lots of old-time fans (mostly older people). Just when you think he’ll tell them whatever they want to hear just to get what he wants (such as liquor) & then get “rid” of them, he surprises you by being THOUGHTFUL — remembering their names & keeping his promises to dedicate songs to them, etc…

… Previously married 5 times, Bad still keeps his “eye” out for potential hook-ups with new women he meets, such as Jean[ie] Craddock (MAGGIE GYLLENHAAL), a writer relative of a piano player. He has a real CHARM about him— but when you expect his words are likely to be just a superficial “ACT” to get what he wants, he surprises you by actually DOING what he says he will, & showing a real caring interest in certain people such as Maggie’s 4-year-old son Buddy (JACK NATION)…

… Bit-by-bit, Jeff grows attached to Maggie, and vice-versa… Partly due to her encouragement and caring, he finally (reluctantly) accepts a well-paying gig in Phoenix where he’s to open for Colin. From Jeff’s negative attitude, you expect Colin to be a rotten no-good— but instead, he’s GRACIOUS & keeps openly telling fans how Jeff’s the one who TAUGHT him to play & sing & that Jeff’s thus the real “star” deserving of getting an autograph from & listening to him play…

… Colin goes out of his way to try to build Jeff’s fan base, & keeps trying to get him to collaborate with him more, especially in the form of writing new SONGS for him— which Jeff hasn’t done in years for anyone (including himself as he kept deteriorating)…

… But, ol’ Devil Booze keeps rearing its head in Jeff’s life, causing increasing problems for him & those around him… An old mentor in Houston, Wayne Kramer (ROBERT DUVALL — one of the producers on the film) tries to help Jeff sober up & deal with his problems & his “family”…

… Will Jeff take the motivation he’s being given?… Will he be able to clean-up his act?… Will he “get the girl”?… Will he become musically “relevant” again?… Will Bad’s REAL name be revealed?… Naturally, all those questions will be answered in this film…

… Because he died shortly before the film was released, the movie is dedicated to the memory of STEPHEN BRUTON who — along with producer T-BONE BURNETT & RYAN BINGHAM (who appears onscreen as Tony, a leader of a local “pickup” band) — helped create the fine original music in the film… Jeff (who’d played music since he was “a kid”) & Colin took some singing lessons to be even more effective in their roles (& both handle it all excellently & credibly)…

… This film has been put on many people’s “BEST of 2009” list, mainly for the understated yet very strong and marvelously effective performance by Jeff Bridges. He does indeed DESERVE an Oscar nomination for his sensitive, breezy and believable work in this surprising film (which often gives you the OPPOSITE of what you’re “expecting”, in an upliftingly NON-cliched way)…

… The “Heart” may be “Crazy”— but SEEING it isn’t!…