Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Crazy Heart

I've always had a thing for Jeff Bridges. Since he was a kid actor on Sea Hunt, then Starman, the Fabulous Baker Boys, and of course, the
DUDE (The Big Lewbowski), he has always been a naturally classic actor to watch. Not to mention how handsome he is! So when he won the best-actor Oscar this year I was over-joyed for him....We had not seen
Crazy Heart though, and just watched it this weekend. Oh.My.God.

It was a masterful slice-of-life movie that everyone was so good in -- but Bridges -- he was brilliant. You will forget you're watching a movie and think it's real, his acting is so seamless.

His character is Bad Blake, an alcoholic chain-smoking Country singer, who was famous once -- or at least well-known, especially as a songwriter...but now, mostly b/c his addiction has made him a bit unreliable and out of touch, he's relegated to playing seedy outskirts in bowling alleys with pick-up bands. Even though he's a mess, you care about him. He still cares about his craft, and he's always a sweet, care-worn guy. We all know someone like Bad. You find yourself rooting for him. That Bridges can sing isn't new. I didn't know Colin Farrell could sing, though. He plays a singer who Bad mentored, who eclipsed him in fame, but who admires him and wants to give him a leg-up. The woman Bad falls for who makes him 'wake up,' is an unstable high-strung single mom, and I wanted to see him with a mellower older woman, but I understood why they needed the plot tension.


The New Yorker reviewer thought the movie was too bland; that the plot needed to be more complex or something. I don't agree at all. In fact I wondered if he saw it -- or if he's too jaded by things that go boom.* It was very true-to-life, and bitter-sweet, and the kind of movie that when it was over, made me want to watch it again. I don't feel that way about movies very often.




* I have been accused of "liking things were people drink tea and nothing happens." Not true, but I grow weary of car chases and explosions quickly - and the action had better advance the plot -- and I've given up on Quentin Terrentino, though I liked Pulp Fiction. I will never tire of a Astaire-Rogers dance or the witty repartee from The Thin Man movies, and I have yet to find their equal. When they are 'on,' Woody Allen and Nora Ephron can come close...

PS: Two big mama 'coons brought up three baby coons this afternoon for their first taste of solid food -- they loved the dog food. They are between 6-8 weeks old. They sound like kittens. Excy promises to fix the koi pond and get it full, so we can watch them dog paddle around in it - always hilarious. Simple pleasures around here...

Yesterday I cut off a driver pulling into a gas station and she was so annoyed she followed me to tell me she almost hit me. I apologized profusely but didn't think then to tell her I shouldn't have even been on the road -- a friend had just told me a dear friend was being given last rites. He died a few hours later. Not that I wasn't in the wrong. Just wigged out.

13 comments:

Tricia McWhorter said...

I'm with you on movies that revolve around "small" stories as opposed to shot-em ups or car chases. Right there with you on the joys of simple pleasures too. Your raccoons sound adorable.

Cheeseboy said...

I think Jeff Bridges is the most underrated actor of this generation. He was amazing in Pleasantville and basically saved that movie, I thought.

Maggi said...

I love Jeff Bridges! (The Dude being my favorite Bridges performance.) :) I haven't see this yet, I'll have to check it out!

I'm sorry about your friend!

Jayne Martin said...

I loved "Starman." I'll never forget the scene when he was driving and gunned it at a yellow light because he thought that meant go very fast. Haven't seen "Crazy Heart" yet, but from the trailer, it reminds me of another movie I fell in love with, "Tender Mercies," with my favorite actor of all time, Robert Duvall. I was working as a script typist in L.A. many years ago and he walked in with a script he'd written. He came over to my desk, extended his hand and said, "Hi. I'm Bobby Duvall." Like I wouldn't have known. I'll never forget it.

BTW, I posted a photo of my horse on my blog today. Loved your mustang-breaking story.

wendy said...

First off sorry about your friend.

we just got that movie and will be watching it tomorrow. I have been looking forward to it.

and I love "simple pleasures"

Doris Sturm said...

Oh, my that would have unnerved me to watch someone follow me that I accidentally almost cut off because you just never know about people these days - you know weapons and stuff...I'm sorry to hear about your friend.

That's nice you get to see wildlife close up - I love all animals, but especially baby animals.

I just now ordered that movie Crazy Heart from Netflix since I watch movies on my computer now as my TV broke.

Wishing you a lovely evening,
Yours,
Doris :-)

Annie @ astonesthrowfrominsanity said...

After your review, I am off to rent the movie! I, too, like the movies where people drink tea and nothing happens. The make you think, after all. Sometimes I think the people that love those shoot 'em up movies are lazy and want to be spoonfed the story, but maybe that's just me? :)

strokeofliving said...

I really enjoyed Crazy Heart as well. Jeff is yummy and all other actors were pretty great too. The Oscar was well deserved. I'm happy to read such a glowing review from you.

My condolences to you regarding your friend. That news always bites a big one!

Kristina P. said...

You know, I've never been a Jeff Bridges fan, and I'm not particularly crazy about country dude type of stories, so I have had no interest in seeing this movie. I will keep it in mind, though.

Chris said...

Sorry to hear about your friend. What a year, huh? I will have to move Crazy Heart up the queue.

Unknown said...

Jeff Bridges is awesome. Here's an old one... do you remember him in the movie Village of the Giants?

Molly Page said...

Crazy Heart undid me. It was a brilliant film. Definitely not, "bland"! What movie did that reviewer see??

Lisa Lisa Lisa said...

Great post! I just find you facinating! Reading your profile; you seem like a really interesting lady. I'm sorry about the news you received. Surely that woman, too, was having a bad day, or she wouldn't have felt so compelled to follow!