Very often the Oscars turn into the Lifetime Achievement Awards. That will likely be the case with the Oscars this year as one of Hollywood's most loved actors Jeff Bridges is the frontrunner for Hollywood's biggest prize. I love Jeff Bridges; “The Big Lebowski” is my favorite film of all time. However, his work in “Crazy Heart” is solid but not spectacular.
George Clooney is far more complex in “Up in the Air” while Jeremy Renner's intensity and focus would be a winner in any other year. Bridges is battered and genial but there is little depth to his drunken country singer, Bad Blake, in “Crazy Heart.”
Bad Blake was once a pretty big star but alcohol and a lack of a good accountant have laid him low. These days ol' Bad can be found playing rundown taverns and in an early scene, a bowling alley. There is still hope for Bad but he will have to clean up and swallow his pride a little. Bad's former back up band member Tommy (Colin Farrell) is now a huge star and he's willing to give Bad a break if he'll take it.
While Bad's busy fending off Tommy and his second chance, a trip to New Mexico brings him into the life of Jean, a wannabe music journalist. She wants and gets an interview that she hopes will be her big break. Bad is quickly smitten with the much younger and very beautiful writer. His music charms her into his bed and soon Bad is bonding with her very young son.
Where the story goes from there is for you to discover. Jeff Bridges makes all the minor melodramatic turns affable and helps avoid most clichés. Director Scott Cooper doesn't reinvent the wheel with his dusty, slightly battered shooting style that does well to match Bad Blake's boozy and beat up lifestyle.
The story of “Crazy Heart” is compelling because of Jeff Bridges warm, welcoming yet sad charisma. However, it will no doubt feel a little too familiar for the regular moviegoer. Just last year about this time Mickey Rourke played a Bad Blake like pro wrestler whose demons were as strong as his love for a younger women and his desire for redemption. “The Wrestler” is more tragic than “Crazy Heart” which strives for something more upbeat but the protagonists have the same banged up charm and self destructive streak.
On the bright side, the music of “Crazy Heart” is top notch. This is classic country with an edgy, bluesy energy amidst the twang. The great T-Bone Burnett and newcomer Ryan Bingham create some authentic hits that you will believe could have been hits from country music's recent past.
Jeff Bridges tops off his creaky charm with a surprisingly strong voice - yes that is him singing. Also shockingly good is Colin Farrell who captures the modern slickness of pop country with a smooth confident voice that will remind many of today's top male country stars.
The supporting cast of “Crazy Heart,” including Farrell, Gyllenhaal and the legendary Robert Duvall, are good but their function in the film is merely to reflect the greatness of Jeff Bridges. That is a double edged sword as it reflects both the strength and weakness of the performance.
Jeff Bridges has endless charm and remarkable ease on screen and that is definitely part of Bad Blake but the character lacks depth beyond his alcoholism. While one can believe that his talent alone would be enough to get the much younger woman into Bad’s bed, there is nothing to give the impression of why she falls in love with him.
The one night stand is authentic; the aftermath is forced for dramatic purposes. Colin Farrell and Robert Duvall merely exist to tell us how great Bad Blake was or is something we only glimpse in Bridges’ performance.
In the end, “Crazy Heart” has great music and some good work from one of our most beloved actors. Jeff Bridges is fabulously talented but his work here is merely charming and occasionally sad, and not the brilliant, Oscar worthy turn that some have sold you. Buy the soundtrack and see the movie only if you are a big Jeff Bridges fan or if you really want to be part of the Oscar conversation around the water cooler.
BYLINE:
Sean Patrick Kernan is a film critic. Check him out at: http://www.myspace.com/number1ramjamfan. Email Sean at sean@zoiksonline.com.
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