Crazy Heart

On a TV spot for Crazy Heart in one of the review blurbs it was compared to 2008's The Wrestler a film I enjoyed very much. It was once my number one film of 2008 but I feel that it doesn't hold up as well upon second viewings. Rewind to January 11, 2009, The Wrestler takes home 2 Golden Globes, Best Actor and Best Original Song. Now go to January 17, 2010, Crazy Heart takes home 2 Golden Globes, Best Actor and Best Original Song. I don't think it was because I read that blurb or because of the similarity of the awards they won, but when I was watching Crazy Heart I thought I was watching a toned down version of The Wrestler. Everything about this movie is exactly the same as in The Wrestler but toned down. For example, change coke and steroids to alcohol and cigarettes, a heart attack to a concussion, and a stripper to a journalist. Even the characters are the same, a has been wrestler and a has been country singer. There are maybe 20 similarities I noticed while watching this movie, so many it was distracting. But comparing 2 films isn't real film criticism except for pointing out lack of originality (even though it was based on a 1987 book). Jeff Bridges is an amazing actor and he play Bad Blake better than anyone could and he is amazing. Maggie Gyllenhaal gives a somewhat weepy but average performance. The movie was undeniably good, it just wasn't great. I'm not a big fan of country music, so I won't count my lack of enjoyment of the music against the film (yet I did enjoy the song that won the Golden Globe). I think it may have something to do with the fact that I didn't enjoy The Wrestler as much the second time. Maybe every one needs to see this story told once and never again to receive its full impact. I would be interested to see what someone thought of the film who didn't see The Wrestler.
Crazy Heart - 3 out of 4
-Zach