“Crazy Heart” Oscar Worthy? You Decide

March 1, 2010 Comments »

At the Five Points Theatre through March 11th

It’s a simple story about the failed American rock-and-roll dream and the sacrifices made to live a life on the road.

Despite “American Idol” catapulting the likes of Taylor Hicks and Jennifer Hudson to fame, millions of other singers spend each and every day aiming for that one big hit that will launch their careers.

“Crazy Heart” gives us a look at the less glamorous, less reported side of the music business—near failure.

But the film’s larger theme goes beyond the music world, capturing the realities of veering way off course after achieving success and the inspiration love can provide to get back on track.

Bad Blake (Jeff Bridges) is a washed up, alcoholic country singer playing in a bowling alley somewhere in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Jean (Maggie Gyllenhaal) is a single mom and journalist who’s admittedly made “some bad decisions” and sees the real man behind the faded legend.

Jean meets Bad after her uncle arranges for her to interview him for a newspaper feature. They get involved and fall in love.

But as in many love stories, things get complicated.

And the battle over whether to let your heart or your mind decide what your future holds is fought once again.

What’s the lesson?

One of them is that while love can motivate people to change, seeking something more out of life, finding a way to do the things you set out to do has to come from deep inside.

The music throughout the film is wonderful, and both Bridges and Gyllenhaal are stellar in their roles.

If you like stories about love and redemption, you’ll enjoy “Crazy Heart.”

It’s not a new story, but one we can all relate to as we wake up every morning in search of meaning and fulfillment, and try to figure out how we’re going to get there.