Superb, understated, performances and terrific songs

Rating: 9/10 (15 June 2010)

This is one of the handful of first-rate, intelligent, films about Country Music,and a great film about music-and art- in general. It is based on an unfortunately obscure, but excellent, novel by Thomas Cobb. When I lived in Charlottesville, VA, there was even a pretty good Country and Western Duo that called itself "crazy heart" after the book. Now, almost twenty years after, A film has been made of the book..and what a film! Scott Ccoper's direction is excellent, and captures the spirit of the music and the world that gives birth to it. Jeff Bridges gives the performance of his career, capturing Bad Blakes guilt, his tenderness, his struggle with his demons, and his talent-a talent close to genius. Maggie Gylenhall is also terrific. This is a well acted, well written, superbly scored film, with nary a single false note. This movie comes very close to art, and Jeff Bridges performance is a work of art in itself.