Film Review: “Crazy Heart”

Bridges’ powerhouse performance is at the center of this touching drama, aided by a good soundtrack. He’s Bad Blake, once on top of the country music world. Now he’s hit bottom after too many years on the road, too many marriages, and too many drinks. Problem is, there’s still talent underneath all the baggage. One person who sees it is a journalist (Gyllenhaal), who in spite of all her instincts comes to regard Blake as more than an interview subject. The talented, undersung Bridges, now 60, started as a child actor (along with his older brother Beau) on his dad Lloyd Bridges’ popular ’60s TV show Sea Hunt. Jeff has been nominated for the Best Actor Oscar four times since 1971 and has never won; he’s a sentimental favorite to earn his fifth nomination this year. And if he goes all the way, I wouldn’t mind it at all.