Movie Review- Crazy Heart

In another context, I might have enjoyed this film more than I did. Here's what I mean: I watched this film with really high hopes. All the reviews I heard, both from professional critics and laypersons alike, was that this film, as well as the performance by Jeff Bridges, was this year's The Wrestler. Had I not just recently see that film, I probably would have liked it better than I did, as I stated above. This is not to say the film was terrible, because it was actually quite good. It just wasn't what I needed or wanted at the time.

The film tells the story of Bad Blake (Bridges), a country music singer who has (to put it mildly) seen better days. He is just about broke and has taken to playing in bowling alleys and taverns. At an appearance in Santa Fe, NM he encounters a journalist, named Jean Craddock. They begin a romantic relationship. Without giving away too much of the plot, suffice it to say that things are wonderful for a while, then they go seriously awry.

The performance of Jeff Bridges is very good; enough to earn him an Academy Award. Outside of that, I was underwhelmed by the film. But, it was interesting to see Colin Farrell play a country music singer. I saw few, if any comparisons to The Wrestler, outside of a story about a man trying to come to grips with something.

All is not lost, however. I really enjoyed the soundtrack. It reminded just how much I love traditional country music. And I was impressed that the actors (Bridges and Farrell) did their own singing. The results are incredible. Not surprisingly the song "The Weary Kind" won an Academy Award as well.

GOSPEL HANDLES

This is a classic redemption story. One of the key moments in the film is when Bad loses his girlfriend's son in a shopping center. This essentially ends their relationship. Following the breakup and the ensuing heartache, he vows to (and does) become sober. This is a great example of repentance: not merely apologizing for a misdeed, but actually (literally) going the other way.

Further, the film highlights one more critical distinction. Or better, it offers a clarification: the nature of forgiveness. The secular world has, at times, a warped sense of Christian forgiveness. This film illustrates this quite well in a scene at the end. Bad have given up drinking and even changed his name from Bad, reverting back to his given name (Otis). He grants an interview to Jean, only to discover that she is engaged. The two are friendly, and seem genuinely happy to see each other. This is the clarification. Forgiveness does not mean there are no consequences, only that the offense (sin) is blotted out.

CLERGY HANDLES

There are no depictions of clergy in this film.

This film is worth seeing. However, I would wait until the DVD release. This film is appropriate for film discussion groups and sermon illustrations. Be advised that the profanity in the film will be off-putting to some church goers. Caution is advised when using video clips, but that's the standing rule for all illustrations using film.