Fletch's Film Review: Crazy Heart

Did you see The Wrestler? Yeah? Did you like it? Cool. How would you feel about watching it again, this time about a musician? Sounds intriguing, at least just a little bit, right?

It's not.

Listen, I'm a Jeff Bridges fan, and he indeed does some very good work here when he's not merely shifting between first gear (buzzed and charming) and second (trashed and gross). Though at times the film feels like an infomercial for Bridges inevitable recording career, the elements of Crazy Heart that revolve around the music are excellent. The brief glimpses into the songwriting process, the filming and performances of the songs, the vulgar conversations with agents, the peeks backstage - all are top-notch and feel nothing short of genuine. In some ways, it's Once served with a bottle or twelve or whiskey.

However, whereas that small film was wise enough to avoid delving too deeply into some contrived love story, Heart is not. Though she doesn't play a stripper, Maggie Gyllenhaal is brought on to play the woman that Bridges' Bad Blake is meant to build up...only to let down...only to redeem himself to. By the time it's over, you'll be more upset than Maggie's character for putting yourself through it. Making matters worse is the utter unbelievability of their relationship: we're given tears and proclamations of love after mere days, but never given any inkling as to what either of these characters might see as appealing in the other.

The larger issue here is the rote monotony of the story. I'm not willing to completely write them all off, but it's safe to say that I've come to a point where I'll be proceeding with caution when it comes to alcoholic/drug addict stories. Writers seem to have run out of fresh ways to tell these stories. There are but two possible endings - spiraling further down or rehabilitation and redemption. Neither is particularly interesting at this point. Aside from some good cinematography, some sweet songs, and the chance to see Colin Farrell attempt a Texas accent, Crazy Heart has little else to offer. Only for die-hard music enthusiasts and/or Bridges disciples.

Fletch's Film Rating:

	"Whatever"

Shaky Cam Rating (details):	LAMBScore:

One final note: I do have to give some kudos to writer/director Scott Cooper for a sweet Lebowski tribute that opens the film, even if Crazy Heart attempts to disprove my theory that all movies that feature bowling are awesome. Maybe it should just be amended to "bowling scenes improve movies," which they surely do here.