"Crazy Heart" (2009), now playing at the Nugget Theater, is the latest example of the current trend of Hollywood movies that depict the turbulent lives of great musicians. In the tradition of "Walk the Line" (2005) and "Ray" (2004), "Crazy Heart," adapted from Thomas Cobb's 1987 novel and directed by first-timer Scott Cooper, depicts the depressing reality of the life of Bad Blake. The character is based on Country Music Hall of Fame member Hank Thompson known affectionately as "The King of Western Swing" whose musical career spanned seven decades.
Perhaps the most striking aspect of the film is its portrayal of Bad Blake (Jeff Bridges). We first meet Bad in the desert during the film's opening sequence, as we watch a deteriorating pickup make its way into the parking lot of what looks like a shady bowling alley. An unkempt man old and sweaty with belt unbuckled emerges from the driver's seat, staggers into the bowling alley and orders himself a drink.
We continue to learn more about Bad throughout the film's exposition: he is an alcoholic, constantly smoking and perpetually alone. It is easy to pity the tragic character, whom the film depicts as self-interested, conceited and ultimately the cause of his own downfall.
Bridges, best known for his comedic role in "The Big Lebowski" (1998), portrays Bad skillfully, as evidenced by his recent Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild Award wins for the performance. With greasy hair, a beer gut and sloppy mannerisms, Bridges embodies Bad in a manner that only a few actors could pull off so well.
Unlike Bridges, who is experiencing a surge in popularity, Bad is on his last leg. Driving from gig to gig in a beat-up 1978 Chevy Silverado, Bad has little except the legacy of his name. Struggling to make ends meet, Bad settles for small audiences, one-night stands and mediocre accommodations. All seems hopeless for him until the arrival of the young New Mexican journalist and single mother Jean, played by the vibrant Maggie Gyllenhaal, who inspires Bad to reorder his life.
As if his own failure was not enough to handle, Bad is also faced with the rising success of his protg, the dashing Tommy Sweet, portrayed by the talented Colin Farrell.
The movie features a surprisingly enjoyable soundtrack even for viewers who aren't fans of country music. The music, written by songwriter and "Crazy Heart" producer T-Bone Burnett and the late musician Stephen Bruton, addresses the common country music themes of love, loss and redemption. In his signature song "Fallin' and Flyin'," Bad sings, "Funny how fallin' feels like flyin' / for a little while" a sentiment that Bad clearly relates to.
The music is technically simple yet thematically complex while the melodies are basic, the lyrics point to the deep meaning that the songs hold in Bad's life.
Despite strong performances, an engaging story and a memorable soundtrack, the film sometimes dragged as a result of its slightly overwrought style it often felt like the movie was trying too hard to mean something. The pseudo-artsy cinematography, relying too heavily on frequent, prolonged shots of irrelevant objects ultimately failed to enhance the overall impact of the film.
The film is also weakened by an unconventional ending that does not jive with the rest of the film. Just minutes from the end of the movie, the plot jumps 16 months forward in time, leaving audiences unsatisfied and confused. The film's music and poignant story are so strong, however, that such production choices are willingly overlooked.
