DVD review: Clone Hunter Often, sci-fi and low budget indie productions go together about as well as chocolate and onions. The high budget demands on special effects eventually hamper the entire story. Clone Hunter is indeed [ ... ] |
What to make of the ending to Inception? So far, my favorite film this year is Christopher Nolanís Inception. Not only does it deliver all the action and thrills expected of a big budget summer blockbuster, but it has inspired endl [ ... ] |
DVD Review: The White Ribbon The White Ribbon is a drama starring Christian Freidl, Ulrich Turkl and Burghart Klaussner. Directed by Michael Haneke. |
DVD Review: Shutter Island The film begins on an ominous note. Eerie strings play as the film fades to white. Soon, a ship appears out of the fog. Cut to a gumshoe, looking and speaking as if he has stepped straight out of a [ ... ] |
| DVD Review: Crazy Heart |
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| Written by Trent Daniel |
| Monday, 07 June 2010 11:41 |
 In my Oscar predictions, my one wish for a ìdo-overî was my Best Actor prediction of Jeremy Renner for ìThe Hurt Lockerî over Jeff Bridges in ìCrazy Heart.î Though Renner gives a great performance, Bridges was clearly the sentimental favorite and-now judging first hand-deserved it. One of the best methods for judging a performance is how believable you find the performance. Much like Bridges truly IS The Dude in ìThe Big Lebowski,î he truly IS Bad Blake in ìCrazy Heart.î There is not one false note in his portrayal of a washed up, drunken country singer barely surviving on the remnants of his past glory. Much of the story is one weíve seen before: country singer on the road strikes up a star-crossed romance with a beautiful young woman, only to have the sins of his past come back to haunt him. The greatness of Bridgesí performance (coupled with subtle but very strong work by Maggie Gyllenhall as Jean) breathes new life into the story and makes the audience care. Blakeís now oft-quoted line to Jean, "I want to talk about how bad you make this room look" works because of Blakeís delivery and Jeanís blushing but smitten reaction. The line could have been sappy, but the acting makes it work. The film impressively finds all the right notes along the way. Because the story is familiar, it teeters along the edge of clichÈ and melodrama, but never gives in or becomes too simplified. For instance, Blakeís former protÈgÈ Tommy Sweet (Colin Farrel) has now become a superstar and wants Blake to open for him. Tommy could have been played as arrogant and ungrateful. However, while Tommy still (rightfully) places his own career first, he is still loyal and appreciative of Blake and does help him. Secondly, the story could have followed the familiar path of how the love of one good woman can slay all of Blakeís past demons. The story resists that path. Life is never that simple. The path the story does take in this regard (which I will leave for you to discover) is bittersweet, but real. Some decisions made by the characters are heartbreaking, but ultimately, probably the right decision. Finally, the songs (one an Oscar winner) and the singing not only are outstanding, but fit the film like a glove. Bridges (as well as Farrell) do their own singing and are impressive (Bridges in particular pulls of the subtle but remarkable feat of making you feel he has sung his songs many, many times). ìCrazy Heart,î in short, is a film whose story could have easily become a clichÈ, but is made special by the songs, locations, resistance to melodrama and, especially, outstanding performances. Bridges deserved to win. |
| Last Updated on Monday, 07 June 2010 11:46 |
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