Iffy for 17+
Bridges shines in adult tale of alcohol and country music.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Crazy Heart -- which follows a middle-aged musician's (Jeff Bridges) failing career and the major drinking problem that's contributing to that failure -- is clearly aimed at grown-ups. Unless teens have an interest in classic country music (or in actor Colin Farrell, who has a small supporting role), it's unlikely that they'll be clamoring to see it. In the event that they are, they'll find plenty of food for thought and some good music ... as well as some very strong language (especially during the movie's first half) and tons of drinking (including drunk driving), until the main character has an important wake-up call.
- Families can talk about the conseqeunces of drinking a lot. Does it lead to alcoholism? What are the consequences Bad pays for drinking? How does the media usually portray drinking?
- How does Bad's alcoholism impact his relationships with others(including Tommy and Jean)? What about his feelings about himself?
The good stuff
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Messages: The movie isn't exactly a "feel-good drama," but it does have underlying positive messages. Bad starts out in a rut, his fame and glory faded, but eventually he finds the strength to strive toward something better, overcoming the problems that keep him down. He reaches rock bottom before climbing back up, but the movie celebrates his bravery and dedication.
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Role models: Bad starts out the exact opposite of a positive role model. He's a drunk, he has a son he hasn't spoken to in decades, he holds a grudge toward his former protégée, he feels sorry for himself, he neglects his gift for writing songs, and his career is in the dumps. But a new friendship/relationship inspires him to improve himself from the ground up, which is a powerful example. Jean is an admirable character: a working single mother who seems to have her head screwed on straight.
What to watch for
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Violence: Some verbal uprisings from time to time -- mostly Jean (and sometimes others) confronting Bad about his drinking. But Bad rarely fights back and never lifts a finger against anyone.
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Sex: Jean and Bad do a lot of kissing -- open-mouthed and not shy. There are no sex scenes, but it's definitely suggested that they've slept together. They wake up in the same bed and are apparently naked under the covers (no real nudity is shown). Earlier in the film viewers see Bad leaving a groupie's bed; again, sex is suggested rather than shown. Another groupie openly flirts with Bad in a bar, suggesting a night of wild passion.
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Language: Bad frequently uses the kind of language you might expect from a road-weary, drunken, veteran musician, including "f--k" and "f--kin'," "s--t," "ass," "goddamn," "Jesus Christ" (used as an exclamation), "hell," and the abbreviated "sumbitch." That said, the swearing grows less frequent as the movie goes on.
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Consumerism: The only real products seen are the various bottles of booze consumed by Bad, though none of it is deliberately or blatantly referred to by brand.
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Drinking, drugs and smoking: One of the movie's two main plotlines has to do with Bad's out-of-control drinking. He drinks constantly, mostly hard liquor, and he grows agitated (though never violent) if he can't get it. Viewers see him leaving the stage during a show to throw up in a garbage can; he throws up again later and passes out on his bathroom floor. He drives drunk, and he takes gulps of alcohol to stop his shaking hands. His wake-up call comes when his need for a drink endagers someone he cares about -- a turning point that ultimately leads him down the road to recovery.
Fan Reviews provided by
4
Surprisingly enjoyable by H3OIndra
When Crazy Heart arrived from Netflix, let's just say I was less than enthused. I probablly added it to my queue because it was an award winnder and then just forgot about it until it got sent to me. It wasn't really what I was in the mood for, but having just watched Surrogates the night before I figured what the hell, anything has to be better than that crap. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the award winner held up to the hype and I enjoyed the story. Definitely watch it, you might actually want to actively go out and rent it if you haven't seen it yet.
5
Warm story with tough edges & great music! by saxunltd
Yes, you should see this if you like music; yes, you should see this if you like Jeff Bridges--one of his best performances, it may be his very best. Then, to see Collin Farrell in a supporting role as a younger New Country superstar. And to see Maggie Gylenhall in a role that reveals both smarts; tenderness; and toughness. Robert Duvall is wonderful, too, as the best friend/bar owner/fishing buddy. Each character is so well-developed; and they all fit into a story that has pain; humor and warmth, blended with a few scary moments: a road accident; the fearsome realities of a hard-drinking lifestyle; a lost child; and a romance that seems to have potential but resolves in the wisest way it could. The photography--some great close-ups that reveal so much; T-Bone Burnett's great songs; a wonderful script with great lines and so many inspired moments...I had a wonderful time!
5
Crazy Great Acting by moviemonster
Jeff Bridges is, hands down, one of our generations greatest actors and his performance in Crazy Heart proves it. Many years ago, Robert Duvall made a film with similar content called Tender Mercies, for which he garnered an Oscar. While Crazy Heart tells a similar story, this does not diminish the tour de force Bridges delivers. Coincidentally, Robert Duvall has an endearing little cameo in Crazy Heart. Another supporting player, Maggie Gyllenhall, offers another wounded woman. No one in Hollywood delivers vulnerability better than Ms. Gyllenhall. If you think she's good in this, catch her in Cheri (sic?) Baby.
Don't miss this fabulous ensemble performance.
1
Not Worth It by Shiloh_62
This is one of the worst movies I've ever seen. Its about a dirty, nasty, sweaty,cowboy that does nothing but drink and throw up. At one point he tells the journalist girlfriend " I want to tel you how bad you make this room look." If anyone makes the room look bad, its this nasty man, not her! You can almost smell the stench of this guy through the screen, its that bad. I woke up at the very end of the movie, and, although I only paid $1.50 to see the movie, I feel like I got ripped off, and needed a refund. Don't bother with this one!
5
Great Performances by Diamondgirlmovies
This is a must see movie. Jeff Bridges does an amazing job as a washed up country music singer. It was almost as if he was channeling Waylon Jennings - he was that good. The storyline was pretty strong but I would have liked for his character to get the girl but he didn't. He got much more, he got his life back and that was a good thing. CFG
4
Worth it! by lizi10
In an era of over-marketed blockbusters, this is a lovely, intimate movie that covers all the bases of a great film-love, heartbreak, the healing power of friendship and ultimately redemption. Jeff Bridges was so believable in the role of the talented would-have-been-if country music star and Maggie G and Robert Duvall also gave wonderful performances in this movie...Gave this amovie an A+
4
michael by michaelchapin
the show was great ,a good look at a messed up drunk and a gril with poor tast in men like a old country song