And while I'm at it, well done Jeff!

It's not that I haven't watched other movies since my last post, but why not stick with a theme? I gave Sandra her due, so now it's Jeff Bridges' turn.

I never miss the Oscars. I look forward to them really (and I know very few people share that opinion), and for me, Oscar night is a party! But I am often disappointed in them. Seldom in the nominations (though don't even get me started on the whole, 10 nominations for best picture thing!), but often in the wins. It has all become very political hasn't it? No. I suppose not. It has always been very political, I simply didn't notice when I was younger. At any rate, while the performances that win best actor or best actress are often exceptional, I too frequently find myself left with the feeling that the performance had considerably less to do with the award than other factors. Having now seen both of the films that led to these awards this year (Way to late--I know. I'm very ashamed.), I am left feeling refreshed, and with some of my lost faith in the Academy renewed!

Crazy Heart is a fantastic film. It's a better film than The Blind Side, really. That alone is reason enough to go see it.

I think it tells a common story: a man loses his way in life, only to find that it's never to late to start living right again. It's just that sometimes it's done so much better than others. That's where a performance like Jeff Bridges' comes in. I felt that I had been there for his entire life, and not just the little part of it that the film was showing me. Without tedious flashbacks, or out of place monologues, I knew everything that I needed to know about Bad Blake's (the main character) relationship with Tommy (played very well by Colin Ferrell)--a relationship that is central to the audience's grasp of who exactly Bad is, and how he got where he is.

The film's pacing is a little different from the standard Hollywood film. I think it follows the standard 3 act layout, but it takes its time. Those of you who need action and suspense, consider yourself warned. This film is a character study of the highest caliber, and it is in no hurry. This of course, is not say that it is slow. I felt riveted throughout.

I think that we enjoy these stories, because even if we haven't screwed up quite that badly, we see pieces of ourselves in these characters. No matter how young or old we are, it's nice to be reminded every now and again that life never stops being worth living just because we've fallen off the tracks. Crazy Heart in its entirety, and Jeff Bridges with his exquisite performance, remind you of these things. Maybe I'm speaking with the sentimentality of a person going through a rough patch, but I think that even those of you relaxing on easy street will find something to relate to in this film, because none of us sits there all the time. Anyway, it's not my job to get preachy, so I'd better end it there. Go see this film, whoever you are. You won't regret it.

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And if I can just add a quick P.S. Maggie Gyllenhaal? Awesome.