He Said: Crazy Heart

By Jamie D. Ruccio

February 4, 2010

It looks like Guitar Hero, but I don't see the videogame console. How strange.

New at BOP:
Share & Save
Digg Button  
Print this column
Crazy Heart opens simply, in a bowling alley. Those familiar with Jeff Bridges' career understand either the slyly intended joke (minus the White Russians) or are amazed at the irony. When Bridges' character mutters, "a fkin' bowling alley?" the joke is complete. What is not obvious right away is the mastery with which the audience will be treated at the end. The performance, aided by the subtle script, is adept and quiet. I don't know if Jeff Bridges was able to identify with the tortured nature of his character but the audience absolutely recognizes it as authentic and true. The close-up of his face after he predictably bottoms out is a silent testimony to Bridges' acting ability as he wordlessly manages to cycle through the range of emotions he is feeling before surrendering his consciousness to a drunken stupor.

Maggie Gyllenhaal's character is winsome and yet partially sad. She is weary of the older, damaged man, for herself and for the sake of her son, and yet attracted to his kindness and goodhearted charm. The cheerful aspect of his nature emerges and is different than the cynical acceptor of soulless sexual encounters when he is with Jean. The interaction between her and Bridges, especially in their first scenes, which are a series of interviews turned conversations, is kind of higher education for actors. It again feels like a natural encounter between two cautious, damaged individuals who playfully like one another.

Colin Farrell's performance as Tommy Sweet is also exceptional. Only alluded to in the first half of the movie and then seen sparingly throughout, for the rest, the audience anticipates an antagonist to Bad. A less skillfully written character would have created just that. But instead, Farrell's Tommy, who has done things to Bad Blake, has plausible justifications and reasons. Again, the script could have navigated towards the more obvious characterization but instead presents a much grayer landscape. No one is really at fault and if they are, the reasons for their decisions are understandable. There is regret in Tommy and he attempts to help Bad professionally by using his success and new professional clout (in part obtained because of his previous work with Bad) to assist him. He recognizes his mistakes and debt to his mentor without really apologizing for the success.




Advertisement



Jack Nation, the child actor who plays Jean's son Buddy, is impossibly adorable. His back and forth with Jeff Bridges is utterly endearing. he more than holds his own against Bridges' broad, goofy grin, child bright eyes, and rekindled effervescence.

Fox Searchlight deserves a lot of credit for taking a chance on Crazy Heart. It's now the second time in two years that they've managed to strike lightening in a bottle after last year's indie smash, Slumdog Millionaire. They are poised again to reap wild success for believing in daring choices. Scott Cooper, the first time director and second time writer, deserves tremendous credit. While the travails of the characters show up as well-worn events in film, he weaves subtle, realistic characters who then elevate the entire film into something uniquely special.

Crazy Heart is an achievement in film making. The story, while not unique, allows the skilled cast to perform in a way which is truthful to the more despondent realms of the human experience. How we then respond to the challenge of this sometimes mournful existence is what makes Crazy Heart ironically an enjoyable experience.

...Oh and Jeff...if you're reading this...do "the sequel".


Continued:       1       2

     


 
 

Need to contact us? E-mail a Box Office Prophet.
Thursday, March 28, 2024
© 2024 Box Office Prophets, a division of One Of Us, Inc.