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Crazy Heart

71.116.236.66

Attracted by the Oscar talk, I finally saw this one. Jeff Bridges may well win his Oscar, and this isn't a terrible way to spend a couple of hours. It is, however, as formulaic and standard as it gets. The broken down country singer, the ever-present glass of bourbon (and it must of course be bourbon), the hot younger woman who inexplicably falls for him, the young singer who was once his sideman but is now a star, while our hero plays bowling alleys.

It's strictly by the numbers. Jeff Bridges is fine as a shambling alcoholic wreck. If he wins the Oscar, more power to him. Particularly good is the small part played by Robert Duvall, in fine form. The music is pretty good. There are some nice shots of the American West. It doesn't add up to much. But pleasant enough while you're watching it.

Follow Ups:

It was on its way direct to dvd when the weakness of the years' American fare rescued it. Thanks: - tinear 17:16:32 02/15/10 (8)
it did sound formulaic. American films are so devoid of originality right now. It really has gotten worse and worse. Even the blockbusters suck.
- This is Jeff Bridges' 'Scent of a Woman'. - Tony D. 18:35:31 02/15/10 (7)
  He is owed an Oscar just as Pacino was but of course their best work has been ignored in the winners column so they win for shite like this.
  
  J.B.
  - It can't be that bad - DWPC 17:42:30 02/16/10 (6)
    That was Pacino's worst and most miscast performance ever. And a preposterous script.
    
    "We must beware of those who burn with zeal but are not endowed with much sense." - Angelo Roncalli
    
    Edits: 02/16/10
    - I ain't seen Jeff's film but it does read like the ABC of trite screenplays. nt - tinear 18:30:27 02/16/10 (5)
      d
      - RE: I ain't seen Jeff's film but it does read like the ABC of trite screenplays. nt - volunteer 20:10:32 02/16/10 (4)
        
        In Reply to: RE: I ain't seen Jeff's film but it does read like the ABC of trite screenplays. nt posted by tinear on February 16, 2010 at 18:30:27
        
        I liked all the performances and the music. The exteriors were also excellent. Jeff Bridges is outstanding. The story is predictable but that didn't bother me.
        
        -Wendell
        
        The performances are better than the movie... - Harmonia 08:36:41 02/17/10 (1)
        
        In Reply to: RE: I ain't seen Jeff's film but it does read like the ABC of trite screenplays. nt posted by volunteer on February 16, 2010 at 20:10:32
        
        ...but the performances are outstanding IMO even if the movie surrounding them is less than the sum of its parts.
        
        Maggie is almost as good as Jeff. This is no "Scent of a Woman" OTT performance. Bridges is too good a craftsman for that; in fact, the performance is so dialed down and intimate, I'm surprised the Academy noticed. So if Bridges finally (FINALLY) wins a statue for this film role I'm A-OK with it on account of the performance is deserving, and the body of work is immensely deserving.
        
        It's the same old, same old, Academy story so I don't get too worked up about it.
        
        "Maggie is almost as good as Jeff." - volunteer 12:18:57 02/17/10 (0)
        
        In Reply to: RE: The performances are better than the movie... posted by Harmonia on February 17, 2010 at 08:36:41
        
        Agreed. It's the best I've ever seen from her. I also concur that this performance stands on its' own and does not deserve to be compared to Pacino in Scent Of A Woman.
        
        -Wendell
        
        Thanks, Wendell. I'm going, I'm going if for no other reason than to see Jeff. nt - tinear 08:07:01 02/17/10 (1)
        
        In Reply to: RE: I ain't seen Jeff's film but it does read like the ABC of trite screenplays. nt posted by volunteer on February 16, 2010 at 20:10:32
        
        df
        
        RE: Thanks, Wendell. I'm going, I'm going if for no other reason than to see Jeff. nt - volunteer 15:55:22 02/17/10 (0)
        
        In Reply to: RE: Thanks, Wendell. I'm going, I'm going if for no other reason than to see Jeff. nt posted by tinear on February 17, 2010 at 08:07:01
        
        Just remember I have main street tastes and find most "art" films pretentious, self-absorbed and just plain boring. I like few new films but like a lot more than the average poster to this forum.
        
        -Wendell

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