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MOVIE REVIEW: Jeff Bridges becomes an Oscar favorite

By Jennifer Hudson/Take five

Working from a novel by Thomas Cobb, first-time writer and director Scott Cooper provides a stunning showcase for veteran actor Jeff Bridges in the moving drama “Crazy Heart.”

It’s a small film with a leading performance so huge that it almost guarantees the often underrated Bridges will take home Oscar gold for his brilliant characterization of a broken-down, alcoholic country singer-songwriter.

Thematically the plot is reminiscent of other movies such as “Tender Mercies,” which garnered an Oscar for Robert Duvall, who in addition to producing also has a small role in this film.

Once a popular country singer, Bad Blake (Bridges) now makes

his living playing gigs, arranged by his tenacious agent, in bowling alleys and small-town bars, with his days and nights blending together in a repetitive blur.

Broke and without options, Bad reluctantly meets with his “prot/g/” and now big country sensation Tommy Sweet (Colin Farrell), who despite his success can’t write his own songs.

With the promise of profitable results, Tommy asks Bad to write some new material, but the uninspired and weary singer doesn’t see much hope in the effort.

Going back on the road, Bad agrees to do a newspaper interview with the niece

of a fellow musician, and becomes intrigued with the young writer Jean (Maggie Gyllenhaal). The two embark, albeit cautiously, on an unlikely romance.

With the requirement that he not drink around her 4-year-old son, Jean allows Blake to live with her

after a drunken-driving accident that leaves the singer with a broken ankle and time on his hands to write songs.

Despite his rediscovered creativity and the love he feels for Jean, Bad’s drinking continues with a vengeance until he finally hits a bottom that results in a loss even his standards can’t abide. Although it comes with a price, a decision to get sober brings clarity to his life and new meaning to his musical career.

Armed with original music by

T-Bone Burnett and Stephen Bruton, Bridges delivers his vocals with a confidence that brings authenticity to his character and depth to his performance.

The deceivingly broad approach to his character is in fact filled with surprising subtleties as he injects a complex understanding of the flaws, failings and weary heart of a guy like Bad Blake.

In addition to Bridges’ almost certain win on Oscar night, expect Burnett and Bruton’s “The Weary Heart” to gain attention in the Best Song category.

3 1/2 stars out of 5

Longtime Valley resident Jennifer Hudson reviews films weekly for the Valley News. She can be reached at moviegoers123@comcast.net.