LinhCrazy Heart; drama film review
February 19th 2010 12:31
Bad Makes Good by Linh
First-time director Scott Cooper has plenty to be proud of with his debut feature film Crazy Heart. Scott Cooper never went to film school, but his acting background and keen observations of other directors he’s worked with, have helped to create a film with tenderness and nuanced performances. His collaborative effort with actors Jeff Bridges and Robert Duvall, who also produced the film, has earned Crazy Heart three Academy Award nominations.
Crazy Heart is an adaptation of Thomas Cobb’s novel of the same name, with music and lyrics by Stephen Bruton, Ryan Bingham and T-Bone Burnett. The film tells a linear narrative of an ageing, chain-smoking, alcoholic country music legend named Bad Blake who has four marriages and divorces behind him, but his downward-spiralling life gets a lift when he meets a young, single mother named Jane.
Five-time Oscar nominee Jeff Bridges’ role of Bad Blake bears similarities to Mickey Rourke’s character from The Wrestler. Both have been in their careers for too long, have attempted to reconcile with estranged family members and find redemption in the understanding arms of women. Jeff Bridges gives a brilliant performance as the ageing country music star, while singing and playing guitar, although the relationship with the young Jane seems unconvincing.
After her star turn in the blockbuster The Dark Knight, Maggie Gyllenhaal, makes her character Jean a strong and memorable presence in the film as well as in Bad Blake’s life. Jean develops a good rapport with Bad Blake, and eventually opens up to let him into her well-guarded life with her four year old son Bud. Maggie Gyllenhaal’s performance has delivered an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress, which is well-deserved.
The supporting cast is equally impressive, with Robert Duvall as Bad Blake’s long-time friend Wayne, who helps him fight alcoholism to get his career and life back on track; Dubliner Colin Farrell is superb with an American accent and singing voice, as Bad Blake’s former protégé Tommy Sweet; Jack Nation steals every scene as Jane’s curious and playful son Bud; the musicians and band members performing during Bad Blake’s gigs are tremendously talented.
Musicians Stephen Bruton, who died of throat cancer last year after completing the soundtrack for Crazy Heart, and T-Bone Burnett have written sumptuously sublime music to accompany the film, that reflects the pain and hope as Bad Blake experiences the ebbs and flows of his personal life and career. The songs also lifts the film during the few parts where it seems to drag, while giving the audience a rare showing of Jeff Bridges’ musical talents.
Crazy Heart is a gentle and heart-tugging redemption tale that is touching and somewhat predictable, yet still an enjoyable film which may finally win Jeff Bridges his long-awaited Academy Award.
Director: Scott Cooper
Cast: Jeff Bridges, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Robert Duvall, Colin Farrell, James Keane, Jack Nation, Brian Gleason, Harry Zinn, Debrianna Mansini, Paul Herman, Anna Felix, Beth Grant, Ryan Bingham, Rick Dial
Screenplay: Scott Cooper, Thomas Cobb (novel)
Producers: Scott Cooper, Jeff Bridges, Robert Duvall, T-Bone Burnett, Eric Brenner, Michael A. Simpson, Judy Cairo, Rob Carliner
Original Music and Lyrics: Ryan Bingham, Stephen Bruton, T-Bone Burnett
Cinematography: Barry Markowitz
Film Editor: John Axelrad
Running Time: 1 hour and 50 minutes
Theatrical poster for the film Crazy Heart.
First-time director Scott Cooper has plenty to be proud of with his debut feature film Crazy Heart. Scott Cooper never went to film school, but his acting background and keen observations of other directors he’s worked with, have helped to create a film with tenderness and nuanced performances. His collaborative effort with actors Jeff Bridges and Robert Duvall, who also produced the film, has earned Crazy Heart three Academy Award nominations.
MAKING MELODIES: Bad Blake (Jeff Bridges) immerses himself in the music in the film Crazy Heart. Image: Fox Searchlight Pictures.
Crazy Heart is an adaptation of Thomas Cobb’s novel of the same name, with music and lyrics by Stephen Bruton, Ryan Bingham and T-Bone Burnett. The film tells a linear narrative of an ageing, chain-smoking, alcoholic country music legend named Bad Blake who has four marriages and divorces behind him, but his downward-spiralling life gets a lift when he meets a young, single mother named Jane.
INTIMATE INSIGHTS: Bad Blake (Jeff Bridges) and Jane (Maggie GyllenHaal) share some personal information in the film Crazy Heart. Image: Fox Searchlight Pictures.
Five-time Oscar nominee Jeff Bridges’ role of Bad Blake bears similarities to Mickey Rourke’s character from The Wrestler. Both have been in their careers for too long, have attempted to reconcile with estranged family members and find redemption in the understanding arms of women. Jeff Bridges gives a brilliant performance as the ageing country music star, while singing and playing guitar, although the relationship with the young Jane seems unconvincing.
After her star turn in the blockbuster The Dark Knight, Maggie Gyllenhaal, makes her character Jean a strong and memorable presence in the film as well as in Bad Blake’s life. Jean develops a good rapport with Bad Blake, and eventually opens up to let him into her well-guarded life with her four year old son Bud. Maggie Gyllenhaal’s performance has delivered an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress, which is well-deserved.
The supporting cast is equally impressive, with Robert Duvall as Bad Blake’s long-time friend Wayne, who helps him fight alcoholism to get his career and life back on track; Dubliner Colin Farrell is superb with an American accent and singing voice, as Bad Blake’s former protégé Tommy Sweet; Jack Nation steals every scene as Jane’s curious and playful son Bud; the musicians and band members performing during Bad Blake’s gigs are tremendously talented.
LONGTIME FRIENDS: Bad Blake (Jeff Bridges) and Wayne (Robert Duvall) reminisce about the good old days in the film Crazy Heart. Image: Fox Searchlight Pictures.
Musicians Stephen Bruton, who died of throat cancer last year after completing the soundtrack for Crazy Heart, and T-Bone Burnett have written sumptuously sublime music to accompany the film, that reflects the pain and hope as Bad Blake experiences the ebbs and flows of his personal life and career. The songs also lifts the film during the few parts where it seems to drag, while giving the audience a rare showing of Jeff Bridges’ musical talents.
Crazy Heart is a gentle and heart-tugging redemption tale that is touching and somewhat predictable, yet still an enjoyable film which may finally win Jeff Bridges his long-awaited Academy Award.
DOUBLE DELIGHT: Tommy (Colin Farrell) is proud to share the stage with his mentor Bad Blake (Jeff Bridges) in the film Crazy Heart. Image: Fox Searchlight Pictures.
Director: Scott Cooper
Cast: Jeff Bridges, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Robert Duvall, Colin Farrell, James Keane, Jack Nation, Brian Gleason, Harry Zinn, Debrianna Mansini, Paul Herman, Anna Felix, Beth Grant, Ryan Bingham, Rick Dial
Screenplay: Scott Cooper, Thomas Cobb (novel)
Producers: Scott Cooper, Jeff Bridges, Robert Duvall, T-Bone Burnett, Eric Brenner, Michael A. Simpson, Judy Cairo, Rob Carliner
Original Music and Lyrics: Ryan Bingham, Stephen Bruton, T-Bone Burnett
Cinematography: Barry Markowitz
Film Editor: John Axelrad
Running Time: 1 hour and 50 minutes
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