tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1163321594858726822.post7207546774404530529..comments2024-01-30T04:32:47.585-05:00Comments on The Cooler: Falling and Flying: Crazy HeartJason Bellamyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18150199580478147196noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1163321594858726822.post-74844027291574840772010-05-19T09:47:35.318-04:002010-05-19T09:47:35.318-04:00*you can loose a small kid even if you are not an ...*you can loose a small kid even if you are not an alcoholicUnknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00409695143401545338noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1163321594858726822.post-12782761056421138952010-05-19T09:45:30.385-04:002010-05-19T09:45:30.385-04:00I agree with most of the comments here.
I think t...I agree with most of the comments here.<br /><br />I think the mistake of Bridges was not big enough(and related to alcohol) for Gyllenhaal to take that decision. I mean you loose a small kid even if you are an alcoholic.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00409695143401545338noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1163321594858726822.post-70801026505571844922010-03-15T08:12:28.565-04:002010-03-15T08:12:28.565-04:00I'm behind on replying to comments, but glad t...I'm behind on replying to comments, but glad to see them still rolling in.<br /><br />Anon: It's funny ... I didn't know Farrell was in the movie, so I did have an "Is that who I think it is?" moment. Once I realized it was Farrell, my next thought was: "Wow, some people are going to <i>hate</i> this."<br /><br />That said, I think the casting is inspired. Doesn't Farrell look exactly like the kind of country music celebrity who would pack arenas today? He's the kind of guy who is so visually perfect that people endlessly debate whether he has any real talent or not. I thought it was terrific casting, and the scenes between Farrell and Bridges are some of the film's best.<br /><br />But I say all of that feeling not surprised in the least that some will think Farrell sticks out like a sore thumb.Jason Bellamyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18150199580478147196noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1163321594858726822.post-16348893354591887342010-03-10T22:10:26.422-05:002010-03-10T22:10:26.422-05:00Oh shoot, make that Colin Farrel, sorryOh shoot, make that Colin Farrel, sorryAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1163321594858726822.post-18811542486697925202010-03-10T22:07:51.332-05:002010-03-10T22:07:51.332-05:00Saw it today. Am impressed with the great insights...Saw it today. Am impressed with the great insights posted here.<br />Surprised no one mentioned the tragic casting of Collin Ferrell as Tommy Sweet.<br />I loved the duet scene, and think TSweet was an awesome role to play, but I could not get past Collin <br />Thoughts??Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1163321594858726822.post-40269895494997668892010-03-03T00:05:48.966-05:002010-03-03T00:05:48.966-05:00I think your comparison between Crazy Heart and Te...I think your comparison between Crazy Heart and Te Wrestler is phenomenal. <br />This movie is definitely to much formula, so the story is not appealing at all.<br />The only thing good about it, is the music.<br /><br />P.S. Maggie Gyllenhaal...please stop trying to be an actress!Israel Leónhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00923972496996260561noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1163321594858726822.post-32118376503809967342010-02-10T15:36:47.992-05:002010-02-10T15:36:47.992-05:00True. Although I thought the movie was certainly t...True. Although I thought the movie was certainly trying to get that point across when it shows him having withdrawal-type symptoms and when he goes to alcohol abuse treatment. There are many people who wind up at inpatient addiction programs who don't think they have a problem. But I suspect few of them are right. Bad would have to be the great exception to the rule. But, sure, it's possible.Jason Bellamyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18150199580478147196noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1163321594858726822.post-66668427313425049112010-02-10T15:30:20.928-05:002010-02-10T15:30:20.928-05:00I feel I should point out that you seemed to have ...I feel I should point out that you seemed to have decided that he's an alcoholic. Not everyone who drinks all the time is. People drink too much for all sorts of reasons, only one of which is alcoholism.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13785894093937045601noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1163321594858726822.post-65168488923310519302010-02-10T08:50:21.998-05:002010-02-10T08:50:21.998-05:00Thanks for weighing in. I'm not demanding that...Thanks for weighing in. I'm not demanding that the movie needed to detail his daily struggle of recovery. But the fact is that the film does nothing to even suggest that he might relapse. Sure, maybe that's what would happen in the sequel. But considering all the attention the film gave his addiction to that point, it seems indeed this his triumph over alcoholism is being celebrated. By having Bad say, "I'm cured," or whatever his words were, and offering nothing to suggest he's wrong, the film is taking the addict's word for it. And many people who haven't seen addiction up close believe it's that simple.<br /><br />As for this ...<br /><br /><i>I would agree with you if, in fact, they had fallen back in the sack then walked happily into the sunset. That would definitely send the message that he was cured. </i><br /><br />I agree, that would have been worse. But I think you're splitting hairs a bit. Ignore the relationship that on many levels seemed implausible to begin with. The other arc is one of a man losing his career, in large part because of his addiction. By the end of the movie, Bad's career is revitalized, not as a headliner, but enough that he can hold his head up high and not play bowling alleys anymore. <br /><br />I see where you're coming from, but the bottom line is that the movie handles his addiction with kid gloves.Jason Bellamyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18150199580478147196noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1163321594858726822.post-89866020729841328372010-02-09T17:20:44.398-05:002010-02-09T17:20:44.398-05:00The alcoholism "cure" was no such thing....The alcoholism "cure" was no such thing. The point was not to show the details of Bad's recovery; and it was not even suggested by anyone of authority that he was "cured" (the alcoholic himself is not to be trusted here). Many many alcoholics make it 16 months before they have their slip. Where I would watch for the slip is in the post-production of the movie, after she shows him the ring and he has some time to think that one over. True, they did not show the daily recovery needs of an alcoholic, but to what point would that be? It would actually be off point. I would agree with you if, in fact, they had fallen back in the sack then walked happily into the sunset. That would definitely send the message that he was cured. But that didn't happen.JustHeavenFunhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09764095962924894939noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1163321594858726822.post-37477687900722068082010-02-01T13:39:31.952-05:002010-02-01T13:39:31.952-05:00Daniel - I also found her sudden leap into Bad'...Daniel - I also found her sudden leap into Bad's arms to be unbelievable. I couldn't understand what she saw in him. But I thought her part was well acted.Richard Bellamyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12397053921647421425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1163321594858726822.post-39144463234258824472010-02-01T12:59:31.496-05:002010-02-01T12:59:31.496-05:00Nailed another one, wow. Amazing insights on:
1. ...Nailed another one, wow. Amazing insights on:<br /><br />1. Movie as concert<br />2. Diff between Ram and Bad<br />3. The duet scene<br /><br />I was contemplating the last one in my "best scenes of 2009" and in hindsight I should have made room for it. <br /><br />Overall I got a little bit more from Bridge's off-stage performance than you did, but danged if I can't argue with anything you say here. On the other hand, I'd have to disagree with Hokahey about Gyllenhaal, because I found that relationship as unbelievable as Bad's cured alcoholism.Danielhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05222052132452709301noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1163321594858726822.post-8251056258472099822010-02-01T07:46:28.301-05:002010-02-01T07:46:28.301-05:00Thanks a lot, fellas. A few specific replies ... (...Thanks a lot, fellas. A few specific replies ... (some light spoilers ahead)<br /><br />Steven: <i>Plus, it did anger me a bit to have his alcoholism be the big problem in his life, only for him to instantly cure it with only one trip to rehab!</i><br /><br />When Bad Blake walks out of rehab and Duvall's character says they'll take it one day at a time and Bad says he thinks he's "cured" (I think that's the word he uses), I assumed that was foreshadowing an upcoming relapse, as addicts who think they're "cured" (or can be) rarely make progress. Instead, nope, it appears Bad really was cured. This offends me somewhat just in terms of accuracy and sensitivity, but mostly it bothers me because it's a major dramatic letdown.<br /><br />Hokahey: Interesting about Gyllenhaal. I didn't think that she saved the movie, but she certainly didn't hurt it. As for Bridges, I think he does about all anyone could with this role (and its presentation within the film). I think his performance here is perhaps being overhyped (shocker, I know), but I was genuinely impressed by it.<br /><br />Sam: Thanks so much. Honored to be included in your Monday collection.<br /><br /><i>...everything in this film is too pat, tidy and formulaic...</i><br /><br />Yeah. The film adheres so much to formula that even the fact that the lyrics spotlight the inner Bad Blake seems almost trite, though if I criticize <i>Crazy Heart</i> for that I'd have to criticize suggestive dancing in musicals. Point being, <i>Crazy Heart</i> never really unsettles us, if you know what I mean.<br /><br />As for Bridges' career: I like a lot of his performances (<i>Fearless</i> and <i>Big Lebowski</i> jump to mind) but I'd second your praise for <i>Last Picture Show</i>.Jason Bellamyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18150199580478147196noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1163321594858726822.post-22451385930176898432010-01-31T23:09:50.853-05:002010-01-31T23:09:50.853-05:00This is an excellent analysis, nd one I will be ho...This is an excellent analysis, nd one I will be honored to feature on the Monday Morning blogosphere round-up at my site. CRAZY HEART is indeed a strong film with that excellent lead performance (which is undoubtably headed for an Oscar) and the infectious score, but everything in this film is too pat,tidy and formulaic, and when you say this, you really do nail it, methinks:<br /><br /> "I point that out because it’s easy to become so distracted by Bridges’ ability to perform his own vocal stunts that we cease to see anything more, thus reducing the film to a talent show.<br /><br />Subsequently, and in accord with this observation, when you say that the performance is "near-great" you are dead on as far as I'm concerned. This plays to Bridges' excesses, and as a result we don't get anything deeper than what he envision this kind of character in this kind of social environment....to be.<br /><br />Bridges has had an illustrious career, and I dare say I beliece his debut performance still rings truer than anything he's done since (THE LAST PICTURE SHOW)<br /><br />As usual The Cooler takes the discussion far beneath the surface!Sam Julianonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1163321594858726822.post-83817070918986561242010-01-31T20:42:36.031-05:002010-01-31T20:42:36.031-05:00Coincidentally, I saw this movie today. You argue ...Coincidentally, I saw this movie today. You argue persuasively and in detail how this movie is, and I totally agree, <i>a modest yet affecting film that’s never more moving than when in song</i>. <br /><br />If I had gone home and written about <i>Crazy Heart</i>, I don't think I could have come up with more than a paragraph in which I would have said that, yes, Bridges is affecting - after a weak start, I think, in which he seems to just drive, drink, and throw up. But I also would have said that the movie would be much less than affecting without the performances of Gyllennhaal and Farrell. <br /><br />Actually, I almost feel that Gyllennhaal saves the film - especially when it wanders into formula. You just know the outing to the mall is going to end up in disaster. And I'm with you on the total fantasy of Bad's recovery. All it takes is that detox retreat and a babbling brook. <br /><br />So, your analysis is thorough and very fair - perhaps too fair. Bridges was good - not great - because the film's formulaic simplicity seems to thwart him from being as touching as Rourke was in <i>The Wrestler</i>. And Rourke didn't win the Best Actor Oscar!Richard Bellamyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12397053921647421425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1163321594858726822.post-51646210095495594272010-01-31T14:25:58.677-05:002010-01-31T14:25:58.677-05:00I saw "Crazy Heart" a month ago and was ...I saw "Crazy Heart" a month ago and was never quite inspired to write about it, though your piece perfectly gets at what works and what doesn't about the film. <br /><br />As good as Bridges was, there was just too much familiarity with this storyline, which feels like a mash-up of "Tender Mercies" and "The Wrestler". Plus, it did anger me a bit to have his alcoholism be the big problem in his life, only for him to instantly cure it with only one trip to rehab! <br /><br />It seemed rather simplistic. Rather than getting at deeper what drives this guy rather, they portray him as yet another musician drowning in booze that we've seen in countless biopics or fictional stories about artists. And the scenes between Bridges and Farrell seem to threaten to explore a relationship we don't usually see in this kind of movie, but the film seems to be more about being a tribute to Jeff Bridges as an actor rather than pushing his performance to genuine greatness through something a bit more challenging.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05571206086671634525noreply@blogger.com