Log On

Username 
Password 
 Remember Me
Forgotten Password? | Register

Now Showing

Case 39
  • Currently 3/5 Stars.
RATE IT
Alice In Wonderland
  • Currently 4/5 Stars.
RATE IT
The Father of My Children (Le pere de mes enfants)
  • Currently 2/5 Stars.
RATE IT
Chloe
  • Currently 3/5 Stars.
RATE IT
Legion
  • Currently 2/5 Stars.
RATE IT

Latest Movie News

rss

Latest Forum Topics

rss

You are here: Home » Movies » Crazy Heart
Movie Poster

Crazy Heart

  • Currently 4/5 Stars.

Cinema Release Date 19 Feb 2010
DVD Release Date Coming Soon
97% of raters want to see this
Cast: Jeff Bridges, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Colin Farrell, Robert Duvall, Beth Grant, Sarah Jane Morris, Tom Bower, Annie Corley, Luce Rains, Josh Berry
Writer(s): Scott Cooper, Thomas Cobb,
Producer(s): T-Bone Burnett, Judy Cairo, Rob Carliner, Scott Cooper, Robert Duvall,
Director(s): Scott Cooper


Do you want to see this?
Yes No
Your Review
Rating
Quick review
 Submit

So, what's it all about?

Bad Blake is a broken-down, hard-living country music singer who's had way too many marriages, far too many years on the road and one too many drinks way too many times. And yet, Bad can't help but reach for salvation with the help of Jean, a journalist who discovers the real man behind the musician. As he struggles down the road of redemption, Bad learns the hard way just how tough life can be on one man's crazy heart.

Movies.ie Review

Charting the comeback attempt by washed-up country singer Bad Blake (Bridges) to get back in the saddle, our weathered old-timer is inspired by his blossoming relationship with a young journalist (Maggie Gyllenhaal) to think a little bigger than one-night-stand bar gigs. And so, Blake begins opening for country star Tommy Sweet (Colin Farrell, still looking for career redemption), the old boy having once been the young buck's mentor.

THE VERDICT: With a handful of his own albums out there, Bridges is a perfect fit for Bad Blake. Which may explain why Bridges has been picking up a truckload of awards for the role, including a Golden Globe last month. He's odds-on favourite to take the Oscar too.

There aren't many long-serving actors within the Hollywood system who haven't put a foot wrong. Or lost it all together. Jeff Bridges is one of those very rare few though who have done nothing but interesting work right from the start. He deserves the Oscar, of course. It's time.


Rating : 4/5

Review by Paul Byrne

Member Reviews

gillbyrne
  • Currently 4/5 Stars.
 Great!
eol
  • Currently 4/5 Stars.
 Strong lead, cool music and and ok story.
peteclarke
  • Currently 4/5 Stars.
mart
  • Currently 4/5 Stars.
 i be amazed if jeff bridges doesnt win the oscar for this
Cerr
  • Currently 3/5 Stars.
vu1999uk
  • Currently 3/5 Stars.
 While the performances are excellent, I was somewhat disappointed with this. Just not as good as all the hype. Just a re-doing of The Wrestler, but with a country singer. Worth a look but not the classic it is being protrayed as.
ssconnolly
  • Currently 5/5 Stars.
 With a career lasting almost all his life and around 80 T.V and television projects it is hard to believe that Jeff Bridges has never won an Oscar. He has been nominated four times yet has never taken the gold home but if IMDb's user poll is anything to go by that will end this year. Because Crazy Heart is not only going to bring Bridges his much deserved Oscar but it will also be the performance that defines his career. Crazy Heart is the story of 'Bad' Blake Nelson and his comeback to the music industry. He is alcoholic, washed up and plays only in small bars across America. Every night he picks up a lonely one night stand and has no relationships with anyone. I will be sitting here watching when Jeff Bridges walks up to the stage and is finally handed the Oscar after a long wait. But if he loses, which is highly unlikely, his performance is still exceptional and his best since The Big Lebowski. Bad Blake is a a typical character for this kind of film. Selfish, charming but ultimately self-destructive yet he brings a unique quality to him with his display. Now this is not the most original film and for me, was effectively a mix between Walk the Line and The Wrestler. Despite the recycled material the film remains gripping thanks to Bridges phenomenal display. The stars keep the story moving and propel the story. It's a little slow moving but never becomes too tedious. The film is defined by the delicate moments, the beautiful songs and the wisdom of Bridges' characters. The dialogue is moving and makes many of the most memorable scenes better. The film contains some of the finest scenes in any film this year and some of my personal favourites, and they almost all come from his interactions with Maggie Gyllehaals Jean Craddock. The first is when asks for his real name to which he replies "My gravestone will have my real name on it, until then I'm gonna stay bad". Then when asked where his songs come from he cooly states "Life, unfortunately". And the film would be worse if not for the beauty of Blakes song. Weary Kind, the Oscar nominated tune, says more about his character than he ever could. The song expresses the pain, regret and pleasure of Blakes life and is the perfect theme for the film. The film also marks the directorial debut for Scott Cooper and this is perhaps the best first feature I've ever seen. His direction is pitch perfect and he captures every shot wonderfully. Whether he is filming the American skyline, a glint in an eye or an intimate concert he does so superbly and it is clear that he handled the project with great care. It is visually stunning and makes the film more heartbreaking and outright outstanding. The supporting cast are all generally quite impressive too. Gyllenhaal, as usual, is fantastic. The actress is charming, elegant and more than deserves her Oscar nomination for this. I personally think she deserves the Oscar over Mo'nique and her extremely mediocre display in Precious but I know she won't win. Robert Duvall also does a brilliant job but unfortunately wasn't given enough screen time to really make a substantial impact. Farrell on the other hand is the weak link in the cast. He was entirely unconvincing in his role. I, among others, found it impossible to believe that his character was more popular than Bridges'. He didn't get a lot of screen time but he got enough to show me he really isn't the most versatile actor. He is great in films where he has a gun or a sword in his hand and he is killing bad guys but when he has to be more subtle with a guitar in his hand he doesn't impress as much. So all in all Crazy Heart is an amazing film and one of the few ones released in Oscar season actually worth the acclaim. The cast are generally great, the direction perfect and Bridges gives perhaps his best display to date. The film is genuinely affecting, heartbreaking and powerful. If you liked The Wrestler or are a fan of musical films such as Ray, Walk The Line etc then this is the film for you. There are flaws but ultimately they are just slight problems in this beautiful masterpiece.
Gavinsko
  • Currently 3/5 Stars.
 Kind of like the Wrestler with added guitars! Decent film raised up to something better with an unbelievable performance by the legend that is Jeff Bridges.
Jamesito
  • Currently 4/5 Stars.
 Thumbs up for Jeff Bridges in this, great acting from him, deserves an oscar win for this, but there is tough competition from Colin Firth. Movie seemed to be very reminiscent of the washed up old-timer that Mickey Rourke played in the Wrestler, a helluva lot of similarities there...but I guess that's part an d parcel of this 'genre'. Maggie Gyllenhall added a great touch of tenderness to this, should have gotten her a supporting actress nomination too, but, alas, not to be. Colin Farrell on the other hand seemed totally miscast, but you cant have everything right? Not really a fan of country music, but this was more bluesy and less Garth Brooks so I enjoyed the soundtrack too, although I had my doubts before seeing it!
plantman
  • Currently 4/5 Stars.
 Jeff Bridges was amazing but the storyline just lacked a punch, was a bit too slow in parts
clivebb
  • Currently 5/5 Stars.
 Really Good
Ellegibbons
  • Currently 3/5 Stars.
 It was a nice film, it didnt have the WOW Factor. Jef Bridges gave an amazing performance. I wouldnt run out to see this movie
valc
  • Currently 4/5 Stars.
dainiux
  • Currently 5/5 Stars.
 Jeff Bridges' incredible performance is not the only aspect of this movie that deserves praise
pinklady
  • Currently 3/5 Stars.
 Jeff Bridges is amazing in this Colin Farrell poor compared to Jeff good movie but I would wait to see it on Dvd
andrewire
  • Currently 3/5 Stars.
 Charming and predictable, Crazy Heart feels more like a vehicle to get Jeff Bridges that supposedly overdue Oscar than an actual film made for the audiences. I can't deny Bridges is charming and extremely likeable in this but the story's little imagination made this film a total bore. After 20 minutes -when Maggie Gyllenhaal irresistible elegance appears on screen- you can tell what's going to happen. Actually, you could watch the film in fast-forward mode and won't miss anything. At least the performances and music are outstanding. The cinematography is superb as well. Older audiences will enjoy this film much more than younger people though.
Clown-Assasin
  • Currently 5/5 Stars.
 Great story, Jeff Bridges has to win the Oscar for this. He deserves it.
gmiskelly
  • Currently 4/5 Stars.
 Saw this at the IFI open day. Jeff Bridges is magnificent and believeable through out (and there is some excellent support as well). The songs are really strong (and not usually my style of music at all), the story is a little bit by the numbers but definitely worth seeing for the music and the acting on show

Gallery


Trailers

There Are Currently No Trailers...

Related Movie News

There Is Currently No Related News...

Related Articles

There Are Currently No Related Articles...