How an old-fashioned has-been story made me absolutely flip

Rating: 9/10 (14 August 2010)

If you don't see why Jeff Bridges won the Best Actor award within the first 5 minutes, you obviously don't know great acting when you see it. I really can't see anyone being more convincing; it's mind-boggling, especially when you consider he sings his own songs! And then there's Maggie Gyllenhaal playing the single mom. I'm not sure anyone else could have done her part either. These two are transported into the story as if they wanted to live it on screen.
I really don't remember seeing a better realized script. The direction and writing by Scott Cooper is superlative. It appears he's mostly acted before this. But this is so unlikely a resounding triumph, I can't imagine anyone denying this guy more work as a director.
I resisted seeing this because I thought it would be a drag. Now I'm sorry I didn't see it when it was playing the theaters.