The first time I heard a Townes Van Zandt song, I felt the sting of love wrapped in the warmth of whiskey. (I wasn't even in love at the time, and I sure as hell didn't have any whiskey around.) I felt the same thing yesterday watching Crazy Heart. Jeff Bridges slips into the skin of Bad Blake, a faded country legend sick with drink and smoke. A familiar story, yes, but this man has a dignity barely obscured by the puke and sweat; you understand why young journalist Jean (Maggie Gyllenhaal) falls easily into his arms. And oh my Lord, the music! T-Bone Burnett wrote the classics you're sure you've heard before, and Bridges performs them so well you wish you could buy some Bad Blake records from the 70s. (Just listen.) All that, plus Robert Duvall strolls in from the set of Tender Mercies! And if that isn't enough of a recommendation to see the film, I don't know what is.
3 comments:
This one is at the top of my "Must-see before Oscars" list!
Sadly, my theatre going days are few and far between but I'll definitely check it out when it comes to DVD.
There's also a really great documentary about Townes Van Zandt that I'm sure you've already seen but you definitely should if you haven't.
Yes, Missa, that's a favorite of mine (did a post on it too).
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