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There’s every sign and no sign of Jeff Bridges in Bad Blake, the washed-up, alcoholic country crooner at the center of writer/director Scott Cooper’s involving debut “Crazy Heart.” On one hand, there’s the kind of rough-hewn, effortless acting viewers have come to expect from Bridges. On the other, there’s a performance so naturalistic and complete, the notion of an actor playing a part eventually disappears.
In short, Bridges outdoes himself and, if I were an Oscar voter, I’d cast my ballot for the presumed Best Actor front-runner. He already has taken home the Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actor in a Drama.
Of all the leading men vying for awards attention, Bridges is responsible for creating the most fully formed character. The better parts of Cooper’s intimate script shouldn’t be discounted nor should the fact-derived Thomas Cobb novel on which it’s based, but it’s Bridges who brings real flesh to his role, turning a walking cliché into a (barely) living, (barely) breathing and, to be sure, deeply flawed person. From his ready-to-keel-over gait to his frequently unbuckled belt, Bad is, for better or worse, a vivid individual. Since he’s in practically every scene, “Crazy Heart” is one vivid piece of work.
Somewhat subtracting from the realism is the improbable romance between Bad and Jean (Maggie Gyllenhaal), a Santa Fe reporter writing an article on the tragic figure as he sweeps through town for yet another small-time gig. Gyllenhaal is in top form, but the love story is naggingly plot-serving.
The movie is best when fixed on Bridges, especially during genuine, glorious concert scenes featuring original music by T-Bone Burnett and the late Stephen Bruton.
For many, “Crazy Heart” has called to mind last year’s “The Wrestler,” which was surely the intent of Fox Searchlight, the studio behind both films. The parallels are unmistakable, but most important is how both are examples of raw, human storytelling.
Crazy Heart
R
Three-and-a-half reels out of four
Now playing at the Ritz East
Bright Star
PG
Available Tuesday
One of the very best movies of 2009 and certainly the most beautiful, Jane Campion’s “Bright Star,” about the final days of English poet John Keats (Ben Whishaw) and the fashionista (Abbie Cornish) who became his muse and true love, is romantic in every way.
An unconsummated passion burns between the young lovers and there’s certainly plenty of fire in Cornish’s hot-blooded, star-making performance, but the movie itself is very much like a cool breeze. Its timeless words and ravishing imagery will delicately wash over you.
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