I wish I had finished writing this the three weeks ago, that I actually saw this film. It was my very first the Movie Monday. Before all the Oscars hype, before it was a film to see only because Jeff Bridges won Best Actor, back when it was just a crazy art-house account of a nameless country and western singer, brought to mainstream cinemas only because of its coveted nomination. Anyway, here is what I started writing a little while ago, with the garnishes of completion added today…
Here I am at work. Nobody is around. And I have no idea what to do. Watching the clock is similar to having teeth pulled, so I might just write…
I saw ‘Crazy Heart’ yesterday. Brilliant, brilliant film.
In terms of ‘see it if you liked...,’ the closest comparison I can justify is ‘Walk the Line.’ However, that being said, it is far more grotesque, and has much less of a fairy tale ending. There is love; in the form of a beautiful and captivating young writer, (Maggie Gyllennhall) but also lust, booze, and plenty of cigarettes. The unwavering theme of redemption gives this film a golden glow, complimented on a truly beautiful level by Robert Duvall’s character; Wayne. He is a constant spring of encouragement and light to Bad; from being a listening ear and a source of comfort in the midst of devastating news, to picking up his friend after a life-changing decision; “get your butt in the truck,” he exclaims in a jolly giddy up type fashion.
The film follows the later life of Bad Blake; (enacted superbly by Jeff Bridges), a renowned country singer, whose hey-day is well and truly passed. His pitiful state of health and broke status are illustrated in the first few scenes, which shows him in the revolting act of emptying a bottle of urine onto the carpark asphalt, before heading straight for bar, even unable to cough up the $4.75 for his Southern Comfort. A washed up ‘has been,’ whose real name we never really find out, Bad does not disappoint in living up to his reputation. However, as his lifestyle of repeated abuse begins to take its toll, Bad is forced to revisit and amend his decisions of yonder. There is a lot of regret and bitterness in his heart, primarily towards a former partner, Tommy Sweet, (of whom Colin Farrell depicts wonderfully), who he believes took him for a ride and swindled him out of a lot of dough.
Without giving too much away, this story and its characters are similar to that of an onion. It is raw. Incidents depicted and life experiences will sting your eyes with tears that know their pain too well. The characters have layers so complex, and so deep that they will never be fully be exposed or understood. But that’s where the beauty of the film lies; in the precipice of wonder.
Don’t see it because it won Best Actor. See it for what it is – a story about redemption, hope, love and second chances.
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