Whiskey Bent & Hell Bound

Rating: 8/10 (29 June 2018)

Scott Cooper directs a soothing masterpiece with the musically golden Crazy Heart. A broken shell of a man, broke, burnt out from years on the road of hard living Bad Blake (Bridges) tries to conquer the lost soul of his and climb his way back. He is rough around the edges but charismatic with the southern country charm. He meets a reporter Jean (Gyllenhaal), who he falls in love with and befriends her 4 yr old son Buddy. During a visit Blake watches Buddy for Jean and takes him out for the day as he is drinking, then loses the kid which causes a major rip in the relationship. Blake's underling who is much bigger now in stardom Tommy (Farrell) wants to repay the struggling musician, but stubborn is as stubborn does.
A tremendous back set of a music score where Bridges and Farrell BOTH do their own singing which is actually very, very good. The drive and vision to produce these two stars in such magic is far ever seen. Bridges is fantastic, reminiscent of his portrayal in True Grit and his genius as THE DUDE. Gyllenhaal is amazing and not in the film nearly enough, a cameo with Robert Duvall as a bartender/friend who help Bad back to health is well perceived.
A truly well written film. You will NOT be disappointed and will feel a sense of compassion and morality as you watch the transition of the characters. A stellar film with an 8/10 for me.