Went yesterday to see 'Crazy Heart' because I try every year to see the movies that are nominated for Academy Awards and if we get them at all it's normally the week before and for 2 days. I've lamented that before so we'll move on.
'Crazy Heart' stars Jeff Bridges as Bad Black, a 57 year old country singer who's seen better days. He drives around in a 1979 Suburban from town to town through the southwest singing in bowling alleys and beer joints. He has to count on local backup bands and the venues putting him up in cheap motels and feeding him. Alcohol has almost eaten up his talent and has taken it's toll on his body but he has a loyal group of fans who come to the show. He was also a partner with an up and coming country singer who has hit the big time without him and he's bitter about how it all went down.
In Santa Fe, he agrees to do an interview with the niece of one of the band members and meets and falls for Jeannie, played by Maggie Gyllenhall. She has a small son and wants to be careful with their relationship but she sees inside of him and falls back. Against her better judgement, they start to see each other. An incident involving her son makes her leave his house and sends him down a slippery slope that leads to rock bottom. Picture him in his tighty whities, puking and passing out on the bathroom floor.
Bad has friends that care about him...a bar owner played by Robert Duvall, a manager who keeps him employed and the before mentioned young country singer played by Colin Ferrell who thinks he is the best songwriter ever and lets him open for him and promises him some duets on an upcoming album. And Jeannie still cares, even though she can't take him back, he sees in her what he could have and makes him want to be a better man. A stint in rehab helps him clear his mind and pick up his guitar. And his friend Tommy (Colin) keeps his promises. Even without Jeannie, Bad is going to be ok.
Jeff Bridges will, I and everyone else predict, win an academy award. He's a good actor and this was a role he was meant to play. He literally has his worst side forward and we are still rooting for him. I like him a lot and he deserves to win.
Really good movie.
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