Masterful work by Jeff Bridges. Heart-breaking.

Rating: 10/10 (26 December 2010)

A lot of the critical reviews of this movie concentrate on what they consider to be phony moments, such the sex scenes in the movie-which are not overly graphic, or the age difference between Bad and Jean. That its not realistic that these two people would have a relationship. Or they spend time comparing this movie to Tender Mercies, and how this movie can't even compare to it. One even said that the drinking and smoking were too much, even sickening. Those things are an important part of the character and are not at all gratuitous. This movie has affected me like none other in a long time. Not a movie to be casually watched, the masterful performance by Jeff Bridges will break your heart. The essence of a story, it is character driven. Anyone who questions that Jeff did not deserve the Oscar, I challenge them to watch the scene in which he calls his older son. Or admit they are not forever haunted by the gut-wrenching scene in which he loses the little boy. You are absolutely on a roller coaster ride until the boy comes back, and later when Bad asks for a second chance when's he out of rehab. You feel every second of what goes through Bad's mind when he later finds one of Buddy's t shirts, and debates about calling Jean. Those who say this movie is boring are comparing apples to oranges. Its not an action picture, and isn't supposed to be. It's not fast-paced-that's not what this story calls for. Some say its been told before-tons of movies re-tell a story. I loved the theme song so much I bought it-and I re-live the emotions of this movie every time I listen to it. And such is the score of this movie-its better country music than I have heard in a long time.
This movie will hold your emotions hostage long after its over.