Archive for January 21st, 2010

Crazy Heart, written and directed by Scott Cooper, shines on the big screen. The film offers idyllic views of otherwise hidden bits of the American West. The main feature is Bad Blake, a 57-year-old country singer who’s lost his way, played by Jeff Bridges. While Bridges’s former characters have had big personalities (think The Big Lebowski), something new shines forth in his latest role.
 
Truthfully, Bad has a certain charisma about him. It’s evident both on-stage and off. His character has an intelligence that is sort of charming. He isn’t emotionally devoid of life, but rather bemused by the outside world. He drives from one lowly gig to another in an old truck, playing bowling alleys and dive bars with local pickup bands and sleeping in motels.
 
The only person he bothers to complain to is his manager. Bad is constantly refusing to write songs, or to move forward, insisting that the old stuff is the only stuff. His way is the only way. It’s through that stubborn admission that the audience can see that more…