Movie Fodder

Release Year: 2009

Director: Scott Cooper

Review: So we have Jeff Bridges starring in a 'The Wrestler'esque story of personal redemption.  I'm in.  The tale of Bad Blake, a former country music star who is reduced to playing bowling alleys and who spends more hours drunk than sober.  He lives the life he chose to live, and it will kill him if he keeps it up.  This is a story about self worth, and examining what is important in life.  Its certainly not the first story of its kind, but it works in its own way.  It is true to its name, it has heart.  It hooks you in and invests you in Bad's fortune.

Lets not mince words, this movie is Jeff Bridges' showcase.  He is a talented actor and is given a fantastic character to portray.  The movie is made or broken on his performance and he comes through in a big way.  Authenticity should be defined by his performance.  Not only is he a talented actor, but he is a talented musician, and that comes through.  The haggard, but ever enduring 'Bad' is personified by Bridges.  The man appears to have one foot in the grave, and yet, when it counts, always manages to come through.  He may not be accountable, but he is always reliable to show up eventually.  This film is all about Bridges, and all about the music.  Both are fantastic.  I'm no country music fan, but seeing the passion, pain and heartache in the way Bridges performs the songs shines through any musical bias.  Bridges goes beyond believable and becomes indistinguishable from his character and the performance alone is worth the price of admission. 

Beyond Bridges, the movie does stand up fairly well on its own.  Its a pretty straight forward plot.  It's more of a character study then a gripping story.  Maggie Gyllenhaal plays a fine love interest to the seemingly untamable Bad.  It's a good performance that is dwarfed by a much greater role.  The main problem with the film is that it is a bit predictable and plain.  This isn't the first movie of its type.  Its pretty well established the road in which it will take, and it never really veers from it.  At a certain point it becomes a bit redundant, and it almost seems like its just going through the motions, trying to put in a few more scenes for Bridges to chew on.  There is a great deal of hope for Bad, but some of the effectiveness is lost by dragging it out and being so dead on.

While decent on its own, the reason to see this film is for Jeff Bridges.  He is given a very stereotyped character and manages to make him interesting putting his own touches in.  It is a heartwarming movie, and one that is pleasant, if not bordering on great throughout, but runs out of steam towards the end.  It did make me enjoy and appreciate country music, something I wouldn't have thought possible, so it gets points just for that.  It lacks the originality and tight pace that would make it a great film, but I can't argue with a very good film with great performances.

Rating: 4/5

Award Consideration: While I can't rule out a best picture nomination, its a very long shot to win.  Nor does it deserve to.  It's a good movie, but not the best of the year.  Far more movies are more well rounded and bring more to the table.

The obvious award is Jeff Bridges for best actor.  He will be nominated, and will most likely win.  Rourke was robbed last year in a similar role, but Bridges has his past working for him.  He has been a great actor in so many movies, and this appears to be his time.

Finally, the movie brought home a Golden Globe for best song.  I forsee the same honor for the Oscars.  Again, the movie is all about the music, so its fitting it'd win this category.