Well acted, and a story well told.

Rating: 9/10 (1 April 2010)

Crazy Heart is a great movie, based chiefly on the its great performances. This story of a down and out country star fighting alcoholism, and the bad choices he makes is a story of personal redemption if not personal triumph. Jeff Bridges was very deserving of his Oscar nod as Bad Blake. Bridges takes Blake through life experiences ranging from an his lips drunk to the edge of doom, and back again. Maggie Gyllenhall is also very good as the younger woman who falls for Blake's charms, until it becomes apparent that Blake is not able to properly care for himself let alone her or her young son. I was also very impressed Colin Farrel as Blake's younger and extremely successful protégé. Robert Duvall also gets the nod for another fine performance in his impressive resume.
The story avoids the superficial happy ending. Blake's triumph is over his own demons, though he doesn't win the big prize at the end.