Reviews by Kris Mason I’m Not That Crazy About It

I’m getting very set in my ways. I don’t like seeing movies that I’m not interested in. When I pass on something, and then find out that everyone who saw it thought it was great, I hate having to go back and watch it. Such is the case with “Crazy Heart”. The story of a 57 year old, broken down, washed up, alcoholic, country singer is not the things that a good afternoon and a bucket of popcorn are made of.

Everyone loves this movie. Not only did its executive producer and star, Jeff Bridges, win the Golden Globe for best actor, he’s also nominated for the same prize at this years Academy Awards. My money is on him winning that as well. Sometimes in Hollywood, awards are given away to those who display a great range of emotion (fear, rage, love or the combined mental anguish of all those and many others), all the while looking fabulous. Jeff Bridges will win because he reveals his own flaws (his age and weight mainly) to reveal the flaws of his character.

There was another thing that did work well and that is the soundtrack; it was very believable. Written for the screen, the collaboration of Stephen Bruton, Ryan Bingham and the legendary T-Bone Burnett is what gives the country music for the main character its authenticity. The score and the songs have won awards from the BAFTA’s to the Golden Globes and have also received Oscar nods.

As I have already stated, everyone loves this movie. For me it was just okay. I certainly see why Jeff Bridges has this spotlight on him at the moment; but coming off the heels of last years “The Wrestler”, “Crazy Heart” loses its freshness. First time director Scott Cooper serves up what seems little more than a movie-of-the-week telling of this story (which he also adapted from the novel of the same name). All in all, a good first outing for the guy who started his Hollywood career listed in the credits of “Austin Powers: The Spy who Shagged Me” as Klansman’s Son – Bobby. Most first time directors don’t get to work with Jeff Bridges and Robert Duvall.

Films like this tend to only show at the “art house” type theatres, but due to the Oscar attention you can see it at most theaters around the Valley. In addition to that, if you are looking for some of the more obscure films that have received nominations for Academy Awards, check out the line up at Harkins’ Camelview 5 in Scottsdale; or if you want to know about the 2010 Short Films category, visit The Valley Art Theatre in Tempe.