Woman problems

Bridges excels, but Crazy Heart tells a tired Hollywood story | Megan Basham

Lorey Sebastian/Fox Searchlight/AP

Without an actor of Jeff Bridges' caliber at the helm, there would be very little to recommend Crazy Heart (rated R for profanity and one sex scene), a story Hollywood has told many times before. A down-and-out artist type plods through the wreckage of his life abusing substances and blowing second chances. Last year it was The Wrestler, and before that it was Capote, Ray, Walk the Line, and Pollock. What props these movies up is the ability of the actors to create a person who is hard to like but impossible not to care about.

As country crooner Bad Blake, Bridges may have accomplished this better than any of those who came before him. The earnest charm, the moments of clarity and regret, and the amazing talent he imbues Blake with make us long for the singer's redemption. Sadly, his path of deliverance is not nearly as engaging or authentic as the man himself.