One would think writer-director Scott Cooper would deserve most of the credit for Crazy Heart's heartbreaking portrayal of a washed-up country singer. While Cooper’s work is certainly solid, every other aspect of the film takes a back seat to Jeff Bridges’ astounding star turn.
Riding into the twilight of a moderately successful career, Bad Blake is once again a struggling musician, living in fleabag motels between gigs across the American southwest. In Albuquerque, he meets journalist Jean Craddock (Gyllenhaal), with whom he embarks upon a whirlwind romance. He struggles balancing his time on the road, visiting Jean and managing his alcoholism, before hitting rock bottom.
Bridges turns what could be a story of mid life redemption into a strong Oscar contender. For his effortless charm and obvious talent, Bad is undeniably irresponsible, yet one still pulls for him. Gyllenhaal has rarely been better as a weary single mother, and T-Bone Burnett helms the impressive soundtrack, including Bad’s redemption song, “The Weary Kind.” At its core, Crazy Heart is an actors’ piece, and Bridges is its brightest star.
