So this was really good. I think the best way to describe it is "emotionally honest." There are some plot elements that are obvious and cliche, but like 'The Wrestler,' you're so involved in the characters that you can forgive it a lot. Similar to Randy getting drunk and missing dinner with his daughter, there's another big "oh no oh no oh no" moment that's done quite well.
The movie, also, tells a "redemption" story without being a "comeback" story. I don't want to get into very many specifics because it's quite good and more people should be surprised by it, but the last act of the movie is when I went from liking it to loving it. And although there's one moment that might have people rolling their eyes, the ending is honest, and doesn't betray what's come before. To talk any more about the plot -- especially how it compares and contrasts to The Wrestler -- would be to spoil the thing.
I mentioned this in the Oscar thread, but this is really career best work for Bridges. Like Rourke, it's "letting it all hang out" time, but it's the latest in a series of great performances from him. There's a similarity to his character from Fabulous Baker Boys, sure, but he creates a fully rounded character with Bad Blake. One of the amazing things about what Bridges does is that he starts off the movie showing how Blake can be charming when he wants to, even if he's a nasty and bitter drunk, and as the movie charts his decline deeper and deeper into alcoholism, he gets more worn, more raw, more haunted. There are some scenes where he doesn't even look like the Jeff Bridges we know and love. And he does his own singing, too, but more importantly, he knows how to act while singing. (The Blake character is a little David Allan Coe/Charlie Daniels in appearance and voice, but later takes on a gritter, more Leonard Cohen-y feel.)
The supporting cast's great, too. Maybe whatever Bridges was doing rubbed off on Maggie Gyllenhall, because she's also doing career best work here, and she's an actor who can be uneven and insufferable. (Note: I have not seen Sherrybaby.) Robert Duvall plays Blake's best/only friend (he also produced), and continues to be warm in these little parts in independent movies. And Colin Farrel, also doing his own singing, is pretty damn good as a Keith Urban/Trace Atkins modern country type.
It's a wonderful little movie that I enjoyed quite a bit. See it.
The movie, also, tells a "redemption" story without being a "comeback" story. I don't want to get into very many specifics because it's quite good and more people should be surprised by it, but the last act of the movie is when I went from liking it to loving it. And although there's one moment that might have people rolling their eyes, the ending is honest, and doesn't betray what's come before. To talk any more about the plot -- especially how it compares and contrasts to The Wrestler -- would be to spoil the thing.
I mentioned this in the Oscar thread, but this is really career best work for Bridges. Like Rourke, it's "letting it all hang out" time, but it's the latest in a series of great performances from him. There's a similarity to his character from Fabulous Baker Boys, sure, but he creates a fully rounded character with Bad Blake. One of the amazing things about what Bridges does is that he starts off the movie showing how Blake can be charming when he wants to, even if he's a nasty and bitter drunk, and as the movie charts his decline deeper and deeper into alcoholism, he gets more worn, more raw, more haunted. There are some scenes where he doesn't even look like the Jeff Bridges we know and love. And he does his own singing, too, but more importantly, he knows how to act while singing. (The Blake character is a little David Allan Coe/Charlie Daniels in appearance and voice, but later takes on a gritter, more Leonard Cohen-y feel.)
The supporting cast's great, too. Maybe whatever Bridges was doing rubbed off on Maggie Gyllenhall, because she's also doing career best work here, and she's an actor who can be uneven and insufferable. (Note: I have not seen Sherrybaby.) Robert Duvall plays Blake's best/only friend (he also produced), and continues to be warm in these little parts in independent movies. And Colin Farrel, also doing his own singing, is pretty damn good as a Keith Urban/Trace Atkins modern country type.
It's a wonderful little movie that I enjoyed quite a bit. See it.
). And the fact that Jeff sang and played guitar really impressed me. I hope he gets rewarded for his performance.
