Crazy Heart

Rating: 7/10 (25 August 2010)

I had heard a little about this film because of the talk about the Academy Awards, and everyone had high predictions that the leading actor of this film would win, and he did, I had to see why. Basically fifty-seven year old Otis 'Bad' Blake (Oscar and Golden Globe winning, and BAFTA nominated Jeff Bridges) is a minor legend of country and western music, but that status only allows him to play low-rate gigs, such as in bowling alleys, he only has a standing gig at the bar of Wayne Kramer (Robert Duvall) in Houston. Bad is an overweight, chain-smoking alcoholic, and he needs a break, and while performing in Sante Fe he meets aspiring newspaper journalist Jean Craddock (Oscar nominated Maggie Gyllenhaal) who wants an interview. Despite an age difference, they soon begin a close relationship, and he also gets to know Jean's four year old son Buddy (Jack Nation) very well, the more time they spend together the more like a family they are becoming. Bad's career may have a chance to get back on track when he meets his old friend in the music industry, fellow country and western singer and touring partner Tommy Sweet (Colin Farrell) who wants him to write some new songs. Bad is devastated when Jean leaves him after his self-destructive drunkenness, which a doctor warned him could kill him quickly, makes him let Buddy get lost. Bad makes a big decision and tells his Manager (James Keane) that he wants to get sober, for both his career and for a chance to get back with Jean, and his trip to rehabilitation really pays off. Months pass by without one drink, and he has succeeded in writing a new song for Tommy to sing in one of his big live shows, and even though Jean has a ring on her finger, he still gives her an eighteenth birthday present for Buddy, and they have a little picnic. Also starring Tom Bower as Bill Wilson. The leading star with his slurring and depressive character makes for good watching, he has a quite good singing voice too, as does Farrell in his scenes, Gyllenhaul does really well too. It might be a really simple story, but there is enough to pluck at your heartstrings and make you care for the characters and what happens to them, so it is a worthwhile music drama. It won the Oscar for Best Song for "The Weary Kind" (it also won the Golden Globe), it was nominated the BAFTA for Best Music for T-Bone Burnett and Stephen Bruton. Very good!