Bridges is THE movie.

Rating: 9/10 (15 January 2012)

This movie is similar in many ways to "Tender Mercies" and it is interesting that Robert Duvall appears in each. However, in "Crazy Heart", Jeff Bridges plays the lead and unlike Duvall's character in "Tender Mercies", Bridges character is an alcoholic in the midst of a long decline--not a man trying to pick up the pieces like Duvall did in this earlier performance. So, in some ways, it's like looking at Duvall's character a bit before the story begins in "Tender Mercies". Both characters are alcoholic country singers and both leave behind a lot of messed up lives and hope to somehow rebuild theirs. But Bridges isn't yet ready to give up the booze and smoking--and it's slowly killing him. Can Bridges see the light and get his career and private like back--or is it too late?
Jeff Bridges received the Oscar for Best Actor for this performance and I can see why. Part of it is because he sang his own music--it wasn't dubbed. And, it sounded a lot like Waylon Jennings--quite good in a raspy sort of way. Part of it was because Bridges just did a darn good job playing a likable but pathetic drunk. The following year, he also went on to a nice performance in the remake of "True Grit"--showing that in his older years, Bridges is actually doing some of his very best work. Well worth seeing--an excellent character study in every respect.
By the way, I really, really liked the way this film ended. Instead of going for the easy, clichéd Hollywood ending, they chose to wrap it up extremely well and realistically. See the film--see what I mean.