Hot damn, this is a good movie.
Crystal and I went to see Crazy Heart last night, its first night playing in Indianapolis. I cannot say enough good things about this film, but I'll start by talking about Jeff Bridges, since that's who everybody else seems to be talking about (with good reason). The man deserves an Oscar. I'm saying it now. His subtle performance is just right; rarely have I seen an actor communicate such turmoil, love, passion, anger and regret while seemingly doing nothing at all. It's like he's using some form of telepathy on the audience. And this is the perfect script for Bridges: the dialogue is simple and rarely calls attention to itself, and with it (and with the help of Bridges, obviously) writer/director Scott Cooper has created one of the most memorable characters I have ever seen on a movie screen.
In case you hadn't heard, the movie is about a 57-year-old country singing has-been named Bad Blake. That should be enough to make you want to see the film. The soundtrack is full of some of the best country music I have ever heard (a lot of it written by T-Bone Burnett, I'm told) and the film's story and overall feel fit in perfectly with the emotions of an old country-western song. Drunken and melancholy, yet innocently hopeful.
Crazy Heart is definitely a film for actors, and Jeff Bridges is not the only one who brings a brilliant performance. Maggie Gyllenhaal is absolutely wonderful, and Robert Duvall and Colin Farrel are great in their smaller roles. And I couldn't believe this was Scott Cooper's first time directing.
If you don't go see this movie, I will punch you.
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