What Have You Done For Me Lately?

Rating: 8/10 (14 September 2015)

Whether it be The Wrestler or even last year's Birdman, it seems we get a story of a middle aged man nearing the end of what was a great career in something, and is forced to try and put his life together both in and outside of his career. Crazy Heart is right up there with the aforementioned films. Focusing on Bad Blake, a country singer playing in bars and other low paying places after pissing his money away on booze and cigarettes. Played brilliantly by Jeff Bridges, who gives the character just the amount of sympathy needed without it feeling overdone. But the real noteworthy performance here is Maggie Gyllenhaal.
A lot of people don't like Gyllenhaal, although I'm not sure why. She may have been a little bit annoying in The Dark Knight, but look at her performances in Donnie Darko, Crazy Heart, and most recently Frank, and tell me she isn't a proved Oscar caliber actress. She is magic when on screen with Bridges. Their relationship is fast moving, and although you don't really get a sense as to why they are so attracted to each other, it really works. This is not only an alcoholic man, but also one that doesn't shy away from his fair share of one-night-stands. So why is Gyllenhaal so different? Well perhaps because she has a son, buddy, who to Blake, is the son that he never had. Rather, the son he chose not to take care of all these years.
Rounding out the main cast is Colin Farrell and Robert Duvall who do a great job in their very minor roles. But the core of the story is right there in Bad's relationship with Jean. She is the one person who just may change his bad ways, no pun intended. The film has a very heartwarming feeling throughout even in its darkest moments. I also give the film credit for getting a country music hater, like myself, to really enjoy the movie. It won't change the fact that I still believe all country songs sound the same, but I can appreciate a good film about music. So with Gyllenhaal's emotionally powerful performance and Bridges' equally as impressive portrayal of Bad, Crazy Heart is an acting led picture that succeeds on most of what it sets out to do.
+Gyllenhaal's Oscar caliber performance
+Bridges is always good
+I don't even like country but I like this film
+A lot of depth to these characters
-So why are they drawn to each other?
8.2/10