Crazy Heart

Written and Directed By: Scott Cooper

Starring: Jeff Bridges, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Colin Ferrell, Robert DuVall, and James Keane.

Director of Photography: Barry Markowitz, Editor: John Axelrad, Production Designer: Waldemar Kalinowski, Original Music: Stephen Bruton and T-Bone Burnett

Rated: R for language and brief sexuality

    Crazy Heart, although an independent feature, is very much the typical affair that Fox Searchlight has branded itself as. Originally set to sit on the shelf for a while, Searchlight rushed it into theaters after realizing their other Oscar potentials were not going to make it. And while Crazy Heart is not a terrible film, and star Jeff Bridges certainly is wonderful, the film has one sole mission: win Mr. Bridges an Oscar.

    I don’t wish to dismiss the film entirely on the practice of the company, as writer and director Scott Cooper has poured his heart into the story of an alcoholic country star trying to land on his feet. Bad Blake, as played by Mr. Bridges, makes his way from saloon to saloon across the American West, drowning in whisky and vomiting before concerts. While he has his loyal fans, Bad has reached the end of his trail, letting his protégé (Colin Ferrell) take over the reigns of money and fame. Blake’s salvation comes in the form of a relationship with a reporter (Maggie Gyllenhaal) from a small town, but the story lies in Blake’s need to put down the bottle and pick up the guitar.

    The major problem in Mr. Cooper’s script and direction is the first sixty minutes are continually setting up story without going anywhere. The film has very little dramatic shifts and seems fine on skimming along the tracks, enjoying the scenery and performances than actually compelling us into the story. When it does take off, Crazy Heart begins to keep us interesting, but overall it feels undercooked as the final scene ends.

    Thankfully, Mr. Bridges is such a strong actor that the film needn’t be good to get attention. When Mr. Bridges plays serious, as opposed to his masterstroke work in The Big Lebowski, he provides a sense of calm and richness to his characters. Under those half clothes eyes, the numerous wrinkles, and quiet mumbles are characters rich in complexity, and Bad is not exception to the list. Mr. Bridges makes the character so familiar and at the same time distant, it’s a reminder of why he has been around for so long.

    However, Crazy Heart is only good as long as the music keeps playing, which was produced by T-Bone Burnett. When the song ends and the characters stare into space, the only thing it feels like on the mind of the film is when the golden statuettes might be coming in. And while Mr. Bridges may deserve one, I wish it were a film that could do the same as well.