Visitors Review

(2012-05-23 11:20)

Tales Of Redemption...Or At Least A Small Victory

Well, this is the time of year when all the likely Oscar nominated movies are scheduled to hit the screen, and for the second year in a row, Jeff Bridges is getting a lot of buzz for his performance in TRUE GRIT. I'm looking forward to seeing that one--and recalling his last year's star turn (and Oscar winning performance) in CRAZY HEART, a movie that succeeded at laying bare some truths about the music biz, while not quite hitting the mark on other points. Basically, it was a pretty good music biz story--understated for the most part, probably pretty accurate in a lot of ways. Some things just did not jibe, however. The disparity in fame and fortune between Jeff Bridges character and Colin Farrell's younger superstar was probably a tad unrealistic, since Colin's Tommy Sweet (not really the greatest name for a C&W singer) seemed to be taking every chance to tout Jeff's Bad Blake as his musical mentor. That kind of very public praise may not be enough to elevate his former friend and partner to superstar status , but would he really be reduced to playing bowling alleys? Still it seems to hit on some basic--and pretty harsh--truths about the music biz nowadays. Interesting that Robert Duvall has a pretty big part and is listed as one of the film's producers since the film it most reminded me of was his own TENDER MERCIES.I've met a lot of musicians who tour like crazy and who rely on local "pick-up bandsfor backing. That's one element that the movie threw in that rang very true. Working with such groups saves the artist a ton of money, but limits their performance in very real ways. Ever wonder why the artist you've paid to see seems to be ignoring your repeatedly shouted out request? It's because a. s/he's SICK unto death of it or b. this evening's band never rehearsed it and it too complicated to fake. I was tickled to see that element introduced into this movie. It just may educate a few folks to some music biz realities.Whether you see other elements of the film as realistic or not depends on your point of view. Bridges character's relationship with a much younger woman is dramatically plausible, but it also seems something like a cinematic cliche. Old coots getting it on with attractive young women--well, it does happen, but I'm waiting for the day when they film a story about a washed up female C&W singer who's cougaring up the Southwest. But the film ends on a whistful, but realistic note. No happy endings, really, but maybe a small victory or two.I doubt Jeff Bridges will score another Oscar this year, but unless I miss my guess, he's up for another nod. He's at the age and stage where his body of work is starting to be recognized, and you can certainly make a case that last year's win was deserved. He was excellent in a pretty good movie. That counts for something.

S. James Wegg (2012-05-22 16:07)

Without an ounce of doubt, Jeff Bridges' portrayal of Bad Blake is superb.

Leo Robson (2012-05-22 18:09)

The film's Texas and New Mexico landscapes are ravishing, and the songs are beautifully performed, but these offer little more than occasional relief from a very obvious tale.

Paul Chambers (2012-05-21 23:58)

Not a great movie, but Bridges definitely finds new territory for those acting skils of his. His washed up country singer finally goes after the help he needs and we like the journey to sobriety. Paul Chambers, CNN

Mary F. Pols (2012-05-18 00:26)

While the film isn't quite the timeless gem Lebowski is, Bridges playing the perennially soused is, once again, spectacularly award-worthy.

Graham Young (2012-05-17 11:57)

If you adore country music and have actually been in a band, you'll love Crazy Heart. Despite Bridges' brilliance, non-aficionados might find it underwhelming.

Dinesh (2012-05-15 21:48)

Great music!

Who would have thought that Bridges and Ferrell could sing. Great soundtrack even though I am not a country fan.

Edward Douglas (2012-05-15 15:04)

Jeff Bridges realizing one of his most memorable film characters in years with a performance you won't quickly forget.

Ty Burr (2012-05-11 19:53)

You've seen Crazy Heart before -- many, many times, actually -- but it doesn't much matter.

Michael O'Keefe (2012-05-11 09:01)

Bad Blake: a washed-up legend.

Jeff Bridges in his role of a lifetime and very worthy of his Oscar forBest Actor. Bridges plays Bad Blake, a washed-up and physicallyworn-out country singer; not just a singer, but a legend. Still beat upfrom his multiple failed marriages, way too much time playing on theroad, and continued romance with the "bottle". Blake is still out thereplaying dives and bowling alleys. Right when he faces the fact he isabout to reach that point of no return, Bad meets a young cub reporterJean(Maggie Gyllenhaal), who he allows to dig deep to expose the brokenman...the fading legend.Solid heartfelt drama and outstanding music. Bridges is totally the manfor the role...he oozed the character. Gyllenhaal is terrific. Also insupport are: Robert Duvall, Colin Farrell, James Keane and Rick Dial.Even if you're not a country music fan; you owe it to yourself to watchBridges at his best.Thanks to Ryan Bingham, Waylon Jennings, Farrell, Bridges andespecially T-Bone Burnett for the terrific music.

Christopher Smith (2012-05-07 17:42)

This might be Jeff Bridges' best performance. And he might, in fact, just take home the Academy Award for Best Actor.

jimmydavis-650-769174 (2012-05-07 11:49)

Missed Opportunities.

I like Jeff Bridges, I reckon he is a really good bloke, if he livednext door i'd consider inviting him around for a barbecue. This filmhowever is NOT VERY GOOD. Some of the music is good, yes my little feetwere tapping on the cinema floor. Some of the scenery and faces weregood too and the overall standard of acting is high. I was pleased tosee the big fella out of 'Slingblade'(he ran a mower shop)I love hisElvisy accent! There are several reasons why it is average.Why would a smart youngwoman take an interest in a smelly, alcoholic like that?? I doubt hewould be functional... A quick detour to the Betty Ford clinic and Heypresto all sorted!! DON'T THINK SO. It could have been so much betterwith a more suitable actor, Bridges was just too nice to bring the bestout of the premise. If you've ever known any alcoholics and anyalcoholic musicians, they ain't nice, it could have been a much morememorable film if it had been more of a tangled journey and had more ofa redemptive ending. I believe Rip Torn made a similar film, i'm goingto check it out. 'Bound for glory' about Woody Guthrie is far bettertoo.

(2012-05-06 23:15)

Fantastic acting, but ultimately boreing.

While the acting is top notch, it can't help the fact that it is a boreing movie. I wanted to watch this movie because I am a fan of Jeff Bridges, and, the academy award for his acting. Unfortunately, niether the talented acting, nor the believable script could help the fact that the movie is very slow and boreing. I give it 31/2 - 4 stars because the acting is so good, it feels like a documentary.

James Kendrick (2012-05-06 10:27)

Bridges does what he does best in disappearing into a complex character who earns our sympathy the hard way

(2012-05-04 12:26)

Just ok

This movie is just ok to me. This movie didn't describe the singers past; or how he became such a washed up singer, very well. That is what dissapointed me. Half the time, you heard a man with a smokers voice mumbling throughout the movie. To where I had to turn the volume up louder than normal. Becuase, the actor was mumbling throughout the movie. The true story of Hank Williams Jr, is better than this movie. This is just my opinion.

Felix Yaroshevsky (2012-05-03 18:11)

"My name is Jeff and I played alcoholics before...."

And he played them well. Here he is too very good. So are all theactors and the director. The theme and the depth though .... Thismoving picture not that much of a film. It's a touching story withredemption. So is a/the theme of the son abandoned and unobtainable nowvs. almost adopted one, lost, found and lost again ... Corresponding,as well, with his process with Tommy. That all was a little too much. But the picture's sentiment appeals to everyone. It helped me to bettercontrol my eating tonight. Honest.For those who love and know well country music it must be a realdelight. Some people applauded after it ended.For others it definitely worth to watch,... if there's nothing else.There is no risk. You will not necessarily regret it.

Christopher Tookey (2012-05-01 07:19)

Bridges can play this kind of role in his sleep, and at times appears to be doing so. If he wins the Best Actor Oscar for this, it will be as a long-service medal, not a reflection of excellence in a demanding role.

(2012-05-01 00:41)

Hollywood Twelve Step

There are two huge implausibilities that ruin this thin script. The smaller implausibility is that the sensitive, appealing young woman played by Maggie Gyllenhall would swoon in the company of the surly, paunchy, scuzzy whiskey-stinking has-been country singer acted by Jeff Bridges, whose portrayal of "Bad Blake" would be aptly convincing for a street drunk refusing to spend a night in a shelter, but is 'over the top' for a semi-functional dude even as wasted as Bad. The larger implausibility is Bad's sketchily-scripted miraculous recovery from decades of SERIOUS alcoholism, all in 'one swell foop' as my boozy Daddy used to say, at a posh retreat replete with expensive serenity. One-shot twelve-step transformation from 'crazy heart' to 'saintly heart'! This film got good press. I was expecting something with more depth, even on the threadbare theme of the redemptive virtues of Love. Maybe I missed the point. If you're a star-struck Jeff Bridges idolator, perhaps the fact that he himself sings his crying-in-his-beer country-western ballads is awesome enough for you. It's true, he's no worse than many country singers I've heard in small town bars and steak houses. He's better than his tone deaf fishing buddy, acted by Robert Duvall. But if I were a staunch 'country music' fan, I'd be defensive about this demonstration that 'country' isn't about music at all; it's about 'attitude' -- BAD attitude.

moviemanMA (2012-04-30 02:03)

Whiskey and women; the life of a country music star

Crazy Heart stars Jeff Bridges as Bad Blake, a country music singerwhose glory days are behind him. He plays bars and bowling alleys,drinking and smoking his way into oblivion. At a two day stint in SantaFe, Bad meets Jean (Maggie Gyllenhaal), an young reporter trying findher story. Just like a country song, the two fall for each other.Not all is well in the life of Bad Blake. His drinking and smokinghabits have him on the ropes and he is always reminded of his formerapprentice, Tommy Sweet (Colin Farrell), and how successful he is. Thetwo had a falling out and went their separate ways. Every day seems tobe a reminder of what was and what could be, but might not be. Insteadof sitting down and writing some more tunes, Bad finds solace in hisnever empty bottle of booze.Bad gets a shot at something special both in his career and in his lovelife. Jean offers some stability and Bad gets an offer to perform asTommy's opening act, a sort of slap in the face to Bad, but it's apaycheck. He and Tommy reminisce about the old days of singing anddrinking. With Jean and her young son, Bad finds a nice home, at leastfor a little while. Things go from better to worse when his drinkinggets him in more trouble than he can chew.The story is a reminder of embracing the moment. Bad goes through hislife mostly or partially intoxicated, missing a lot of good things andpassing up on some potentially beneficial situations. Bridges gives hisbest performance in years. He is almost a serious Jeff Lebowski, acharacter he made famous in the 90s in Joel and Ethan Coen's The BigLebowski. We sympathize with Bad Blake, though we never really feelsorry because it is his own fault really for being the way he is.Gyllenhaal gives a solid performance, as do Farrell in Robert Duvall,both taking smaller less significant roles. The real winner of thismovie isn't the acting (though without Bridges, the film would not benearly as good). The far and away best part of this movie is the music.Original tracks by T-Bone Burnett, Stephen Bruton, Ryan Bingham, GaryNicholson, and Greg Brown. In These men put together a fantasticcollection of well written and musically enticing tracks. The themefrom the film entitled "The Weary Kind" is one of the best originalsongs I've heard in a long time. Bingham and Burnett wrote it andBingham performs it. His voice is crackly, as if he has been singingfor 30 years or so. In reality Bingham is in his late 20s, but hisvoice is that of a veteran singer. It's a beautiful song and a perfectaddition to the film. Other tracks like "Fallin and Flying", "Gone,gone, gone" and "Hold on you" are fantastic.Overall a very good film. Bridges takes care of the acting portion andthe rest is taken over by the music. Not that the rest of the film isparticularly weak, I just think that those two pieces of the film arethe strongest and stand out the most. It's a great story that peoplewho are fans of country music will devour. I hope those people outthere opposed to country music will give this film a shot. It will bewell worth it.

(2012-04-29 10:53)

A True to Life Story

This review is from: Crazy Heart (DVD) I love this movie. I was a traveling musician for over 24 yrs. I have met or been, most of the people in this story. "Crazy Heart"? real crazy life. Funny how fallin' feels like flyin'...for a little while.