Oscars 2010: A review of “Crazy Heart”

3.5 amaras After a small hiatus from watching Oscar-nominated movies, on my second night in NYC, we went to see “Crazy Heart”, with Jeff Bridges and Maggie Gyllenhaal. (I must add that my sister lives barely 2 blocks away from a theater, and en route are restaurants with any kind of food you could possibly want. No cars, no parking, no last minute pick up of McDonalds for want of anything better. Life in a big city!!!). Anyway, back to my review of the movie and its cast. Both have Oscar nominations, Bridges for Best Actor and Gyllenhaal for Best Supporting Actress. Both well deserved. Their performances were outstanding, in my view particularly Jeff Bridges, who plays a run down, some what has-been country musician who faces alcoholism and loneliness. Maggie Gyllenhaal plays the young, single mom reporter who is sent to interview him. Yes, I know, the story line does seem somewhat unoriginal, and it is. More than a little predictable. But these things don’t even occur to you when you watch the poignancy and strength with which the characters are played, with small supporting roles by Robert Duvall and Colin Farrell. The music was another fun surprise – toe tapping, hum along, lovely lyrics, and Jeff Bridges’ own voice in some songs. All in all, run to see it before Sunday!