Bridges set for Oscar in wonderful 'Crazy Heart'

Director: Scott Cooper

Cast: Jeff Bridges, Colin Farrell, Robert Duvall, Maggie Gyllenhaal

Cert: 15

That wonderful actor Jeff Bridges never delivers less than perfect performances, and that is certainly true of this outstanding film.

Overworked and misused though the expression ‘an actor’s actor’ may be it can be best understood while watching Bridges on screen.

In 'Crazy Heart', Bridges manages to top all the excellent performances of his past career and might well – and deservedly – pick up the Oscar that is long overdue.

Based on Thomas Cobb’s novel, the story concerns Bad Blake, a once top-line country singer now down on his luck and scratching out a living in third-rate dives, having lived a life of too many marriages, too much booze and too many roads travelled.

Redemption and recovery comes in the form of Jean (Gyllenhaal), a reporter who sets out to help him gain his self-respect.

It is a film that drifts along but never drags, an emotional and often funny film that is honest in its depiction of a man on the skids and uplifting in his promised salvation.

Bridges is quite simply outstanding, as is Farrell as his follower and potential next big thing. Duvall, like Bridges an actor who never disappoints, may have a small, cameo role but from such a fine actor it is enough.

Both Bridges and Farrell, by the way, sing their own songs and Cooper brings home a gem in his directorial debut.

Star Rating: 5/5