ViewGuide

Created Apr 24, 2010 10:12PM PST • Edited Apr 24, 2010 10:12PM PST

1. Quality

2. Summary

   Great 4.0

   You know the story – a washed up entertainer boozing too much, smoking too much, and going through the motions on the road. The classic story of a hard driven man shaken in to change might seem overdone, but watching Jeff Bridges fit in so well makes it all new again. A backdrop of long windy roads, nameless little towns, whisky sodden sojourns, or passing a joint with the band – Crazy Heart takes you away to a different place and gets you fully involved in ‘Bad Blakes’ fall from grace in the face of a newfound love. This film is wonderfully done and will be sure to please.

4. Acting

   Really Great 4.5

   IMHO, Jeff Bridges’ acting is better than his singing – and act well he does. He’s now ranked up high in my book as doing the old, washed-up drunk schtick with the best of them. Not too shabby of a job as the changing man falling in love. Maggie Gyllenhaal (Jean) does a decent job, and I wished I could have seen more of Robert Duvall – Blake’s been-there-done-that father. Didn’t see enough of Colin Farrell to judge.

5. Male Stars Really Great 4.5

6. Female Stars Really Great 4.5

7. Female Costars Really Great 4.5

8. Male Costars Really Great 4.5

10. Film

    Great 4.0

    Crazy Heart has all the necessary ingredients of the turnaround tale – skidding along the bottom, falling in love, hitting rock-bottom, then the turnaround. From time to time you get that “oh, I can tell what’s going to happen now” feeling – but the quality of acting makes up the difference and the experience seems fresh.

11. Direction Great 4.0

12. Play Great 4.0

13. Music Great 4.0

14. Visuals Great 4.0
15. Content

16. Edge

    Risqué 2.1

17. Sex Titillating 2.1

18. Violence Fierce 2.1

19. Rudeness Salty 2.1

21. Reality

    Glib 1.4

22. Circumstantial Glib 1.4

23. Biological Glib 1.4

24. Physical Glib 1.4