Crazy Heart (2009)

Crazy Heart tells the story of Bad Blake, a washed up country singer who is still touring the southwestern United States. He lives out of his old van and cheap motel rooms, and he hasn’t written a new song in over a decade. He ends up playing gigs anywhere that will hire him—bowling alleys, dive bars—and he seemingly lives largely off a diet consisting solely of whiskey. While on tour in a small Texas town, he meets a younger, attractive reporter, and they begin seeing each other. He later gets a chance to play bigger arenas again, but he would in turn become the opening act of one of his former protégés. If this story is starting to sound familiar to you, it’s because it’s really nothing new. For a recent example of this story, 2008’s excellent The Wrestler immediately comes to mind. Thankfully, the film succeeds because of its strong performances and assured direction. The film doesn’t have to rely on forced histrionics or big life lessons to convey its story. First time director Scott Cooper (who also adapted the screenplay based on Thomas Cobb’s book) shows great talent for handling these scenes. It keeps its focus on Bad Blake’s life, trying to make sense of his journey to find and keep love, friendship, and his musical career. It doesn’t hurt that Bad Blake is played by Jeff Bridges, who infuses Bad Blake with a sense of loss and world weariness that can be seen through each and every move. He also infuses a lot of wit and humor into his performance—his laconic drawl, a mischievous twinkle in his eye, a half cocked smile. It’s the little nuances that show you what an excellent actor Bridges can be, and it makes the film a pleasure to watch anytime he’s on screen (which is pretty much the entire film). Bridges even plays and sings his own songs in the film, and his stage persona during the performance scenes brings forward a naturalism that feels like he’s been on the road for years honing his craft. It’s the type of performance that already comes naturally to Bridges, but he fills in the blanks with such nuance and charisma that it becomes just so entertaining to watch.

While Bridges’ performance is the primary driving force behind the film, the supporting cast here is also strong enough to compliment him. Maggie Gyllenhaal, who plays the reporter Jean Craddock, effectively conveys the struggles of being both career-minded and a single mother, and her concern for Bad Blake also weighs heavy on her mind. Bad Blake’s protégé turned superstar Tommy Sweet (played effectively by Colin Farrell, who also sings his own songs) could have easily been set up as a ruthless antagonist, but by the time we met him, he’s respectful and loyal to Bad Blake, making sure not to forget his own roots. Robert Duvall (who played a washed up country star in 1983’s Tender Mercies) even shows up later as a bartender and an old friend of Bad Blake. Most of the conflict in the film comes from Bad Blake’s inner demons, and while it could have gone to darker places with Bad Blake’s alcoholism, it also doesn’t rely on being overly sentimental. The film seems to understand the toll a life on the road can take for a musician, and how lonely that life can often become.

Thanks to Bridges and company, effective writing and directing, and an excellent soundtrack, the film remains very enjoyable throughout (the soundtrack features both songs from Waylon Jennings and Townes Van Zandt and original songs written by T-Bone Burnett. “The Weary Kind”, written by Burnett and Ryan Bingham, shows its Van Zandt influence to create a song that is very effective. Also, original song “I Don’t Know” is highly infectious). The film may play it a little too conventional at times (more so during the final third of the film), and some of the subplots don’t seem necessary (Bad Blake trying to contact his son seems forced, and the film would not have lost anything if the whole subplot was cut altogether). For any of its faults, however, Crazy Heart more than compensates by containing one of the best lines in recent memory—there is a scene where Bad Blake is being interviewed by Jean in his hotel room. They’re obviously being flirtatious, and when she asks him what he wants to talk about, he replies, "I want to talk about how bad you make this room look. I never knew what a dump it was until you came in here." It’s the type of line that catches you off-guard, puts a smile on your face, and you like it immediately. Much like this film.

Rating: 4 stars (out of 5)