The buzz surrounding this film is that it's essentially this year's The Wrestler. Even the trailers promote is as such. And it is with that comparison that Crazy Heart loses at least one letter grade with me. Call it bad timing, but this film just shouldn't be compared to another simply because it's about an old, washed-up has-been hanging on to his life while trying to find his stride again. Crazy Heart tries to be about all of that, but instead the film itself hangs on by the thread of superb acting and great music.

I kept hoping for some part of Crazy Heart to resonate with me personally. And I don't mean the truly personal. I mean that aspect of all human life that a film can connect with without going after a specific population of people. It takes about an hour for the film to begin its stride. Something ACTUALLY HAPPENS, but at the expense of sixty minutes of barely anything. You keep hoping for this to happen, or that to happen, but the filmmaker chose to keep you waiting. It does pay off, but only for a short time, as the movie ends quickly thereafter.

At its core, the film follows an old country singer who is playing dive bars and bowling alleys to keep the gig alive. His estranged musical pupil, Tommy Sweet, played forgettably by Colin Farrell, is courting him back to the stage to help as a writer. Jean Craddock (Maggie Gyllenhall), his newfound love interest with a child is the only real catalyst for any kind of true emotion in the film. Never once did I feel pity for the man the film started with. Instead, it took a mistake after an hour of waiting for me to finally think this guy may actually be falling apart.

The film is a success in some ways, though. The acting is generally superb. I wish they never brought in Colin Farrell for a role much more suited for a no-name, but I understand the desire to have a familiar face play a "famous character." Jeff Bridges plays Bad Blake to perfection. It's another case of an actor with whom, after viewing, I can't imagine another in his shoes. Bridges just about never does anything wrong, and he's still got drama in him amidst all the comedy. But it was Maggie Gyllenhall that really stole the show for me. She'd run away with Best Supporting Actress if it weren't for Mo'Nique in Precious. It's a pleasure to see an actress hitting her peak in an industry and know that it's happening in front of your eyes. Her career has blossomed into one that can nearly guarantee a solid performance every time. Oh, and Robert Duvall is pretty damn funny in this film. Great, tiny role.

As much as I wanted to fall in love with this movie and the characters within, I always felt a disconnect. It always seemed as fake as a movie. The Wrestler ripped me to shreds, but Crazy Heart had me curious instead of worried. Is it a bad film? Absolutely not. It's a decent movie about an intriguing character played by fantastic actors. It should be seen, but not by anybody in a rush. There are better ones out there.


Grade: B-