Like a classic country song, Crazy Heart traverses the familiar rhythms of a hard-fought life and redemptive love. Adapting Thomas Cobb’s novel, writer/director Scott Cooper follows in the footsteps of films like Walk the Line and The Wrestler with his take on pursuing your life’s passion, reconnecting with family and aging disgracefully.
Jeff Bridges is captivating as one-time country music star Bad Blake, an alcoholic, multiple divorcee and troubadour now relegated to playing bottom-of-the-rung gigs for food, board and whichever local cougar he can coax into his bed. In a fearless portrayal of alcoholism, Barry Markowitz’s camera gets claustrophobically close-up to Bad’s swollen face and bodily fluids. Subtle this isn’t, and yet Cooper introduces some light and shade with an understated Colin Farrell (playing the student who became the star), who teams up with Bridges for some vibrant and wonderful musical interludes. Unfortunately Maggie Gyllenhaal’s love interest doesn’t benefit from the same keen characterisation, though her strong performance compels attention.
Part love-letter to ‘real’ country, part whisky-fuelled ride into oblivion, Crazy Heart lives by its lyrics: 'It’s funny how falling feels like flying, for a little while'
4 Stars
Published in The Big Issue (#348)
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2 comments:
Nice work, Ali!
Thanks Kate. Hope it's an accurate reflection of our post-screening chat :) x
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