FILM REVIEW: Crazy Heart

Submitted by Seth Rogovoy on February 11, 2010 - 9:23am

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Crazy Heart

Directed by Scott Cooper

Starring Jeff Bridges, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Robert Duvall, and Colin Farrell

by Seth Rogovoy

You’ve seen this film about a washed-up superstar battling for spiritual, commercial, and romantic redemption before, when it starred Kris Kristofferson in A Star Is Born (whom Jeff Bridges veritably channels), Robert Duvall (who appears here in a different role) in Tender Mercies, and Bob Dylan in Hearts of Fire. But you’ve never seen as realistic and nuanced a portrayal of the lead role as Jeff Bridges gives here, nor as powerful and credible a performance by Maggie Gyllenhaal as the lead’s seeming last hope for salvation. Plus the music’s never been better, what with T Bone Burnett handling those chores.

At the Triplex in Great Barrington, Mass., and the Beacon in Pittsfield, Mass.

Seth Rogovoy is Berkshire Living’s award-winning editor-in-chief and cultural critic.

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