No Place for the Weary Kind

Rating: 7/10 (7 February 2010)

Bad Blake, effortlessly played by Jeff Bridges, is the stereotypical broken down alcoholic country singer. He drives himself from town to town in a beat up truck playing bowling alleys and out of the way honky tonks, staying in flea bag motels all for the sake of supporting his addiction. In an opening scene Bad is in a liquor store, nearly broke trying to figure out the best bargain on cheap booze so he can perform that night. Luckily the owner recognizes him and proudly gives him a bottle of his favorite whiskey not realizing the desperate state the singer is in. Despite his condition Bad is a professional and manages to make it to the stage and perform night after night although his remaining hard core fans are happy just to see him in front of a microphone.
In Santa Fe Bad agrees to an interview with a local writer Jean, played by Maggie Gyllenhaal , a single mom half his age who immediately strikes him as something beautiful in the ugly world that his life has become. He charms her and her four year old son and an unlikely romance ensues. Whether Jean is naive or in denial about his drinking is unclear, she simply asks him not to drink around her son. Problems inevitably arise.
Although the plot is familiar, what sets Crazy Heart apart is its honest and unflinching portrait of alcoholism. There is nothing romantic about a musician or anyone else that doesn't want to but has to drink to make it through the day. Bad is simply a man like any other alcoholic who must hit his bottom before making a decision to change.
With his fifth nomination, Jeff Bridges appears to be a lock for the Academy Award. He is not just competent performing his songs he is believable. Bridges is that rare talented actor who never appears to be acting and he seamlessly incorporates that talent into his singing and playing. His unforgettable performance alone is worth a recommendation to see the film.