Crazy Heart - Movie Review

Jeff Bridges is up for an academy award for his performance in Crazy Heart and it's a well-deserved nomination. He inhabits the role of a burned out country and western singer/songwriter, whose best days are far behind him in his rearview mirror. He's a shambling wreck from the beginning but gradually finds redemption and his performance alone could tell the story. There's a sort-of-a-surprising cameo by an uncredited actor that was a pleasant surprise and Robert Duvall is always a pleasure. But Maggie Gyllenhaal? Meh. Don't see the appeal myself and her role is a weak spot for the movie. Her character has to be there for Bridges' character to fall for but does she have to be so much younger than he? With a child that will later play a crucial part in the plot? And, come on Hollywood, she's a journalist for a small paper in Santa Fe. Let the CPA think this through for you: How do you think she can afford such a cute home decorated so southwestern fabulously, afford daycare for her son, and then take 4 days off and fly two people roundtrip to Houston? Yeah, I know, it's a movie, but I kept getting tripped up on this point. I'm just saying a little more realism in this role would have helped.

A good movie with some good country-and-western music, managed by T Bone Burnett. Enjoy Bridges and watch a master at work. I haven't seen all of the actors nominated for an Oscar yet but he looks like a sure thing.