“Crazy Heart” Feels Like a Movie Version of ‘Behind the Music’

Jeff Bridges’ Best Actor Academy Award is well-deserved for his performance in  Scott Cooper’s drama “Crazy Heart” centered in the country music world.  While it’s not always the happiest film, it is grounded and real, like you’re actually following the career of a country musician who has let the rock star lifestyle ruin his life long past his prime.  In many ways “Crazy Heart” feels like a movie version of the Vh1 show “Behind the Music” because it realistically depicts the alienation experienced by a seasoned musician after years of alcohol abuse.

Bad Blake is an over the hill country artist pushing 60-years-old who’s been living on the road with little to his name, beside a cigarette in his mouth and a bottle of whiskey in his hand.  The nearly broke musician is barely able to keep it together long enough to get through his brief performances.  His protegé Tommy Sweet has long surpassed Blake in fame and fortune, and for the most part Sweet has largely forgotten about his former mentor.

While Bad is on tour, a young journalist named Jean Craddock scores an interview with him.  Unlike most people, Jean sees past the crude cantankerous drunk part of his personality, to a sweet romantic side stifled by years of mediocrity.

Jean becomes Blake’s sole object of affection in a world that has forgotten him.  It is her love and the attention of her son Buddy that help revitalize Bad Blake and inspire him to write new music.   Blake’s songwriting provides Tommy Sweet with new hit music, and the pay provides Blake with a new lease on life.  Bad’s old habits die hard however, and his drinking creates some serious road bumps in his relationship with Jean. It’s how he handles those bumps in the  though that truly define this new stage in his life.

Bridges gives a deep and nuanced performance as Bad Blake, convincingly portraying a washed up country singer riding on fumes.  Blake’s selfish behavior and penchant for the bottle drive other characters from him in the film, but Bridges’ kind face and sense of humor make him an endearing schlub to the viewer.

Maggie Gyllenhaal provides a strong supporting performance as a young journalist and mother who becomes Blake’s love interest and impetus to succeed in music again.  Normally I do not like Colin Farrell; however he is surprisingly credible as Blake’s protégé Tommy Sweet, passing for a popular country star.

The story for “Crazy Heart” is well written, and throughout some of its darker moments it still maintains a sense of humor.  Music written for the film and performed by the actors is both catchy and entertaining, adding to the enjoyment factor of the movie.  These tracks all sound like possible country hits of the past, and the associated musical sequences are well-integrated with concert shots that place you right on stage with the musicians and with moments of nature in beautiful panoramic shots of open plains and cloudy skies.

My Grade: A