I had wanted to see this film last year when it first came out and getting lots of buzz, but now thanks to the wonders of netflix I've finally seen it. Jeff Bridges is pretty goddamn fantastic here. It's no small wonder that he won an oscar for this role. First off, he's effortless in the part of a country singer - you buy it - in fact I'd be surprised if he wasn't approached to do an album at some point. But as a singer, he's a mess. And while we already like him, we grow to love him as we see him interact with Jean and her son.
I love Maggie Gyllenhaal, I think that she's fearless and she does wonders with whatever she's given. She excels at strong women that are flawed. Here she plays a woman who is consumed by feelings for Bad (Bridges), but yet knows that she has to be a mother first.
There is no shortage of films about people on their way to hitting rock bottom, but it's a hard type of film to do without resorting to the cliched or melodramatic. Here, it's pretty damn near perfect. You believe that these two people are falling for one another, and you know that the choice she makes is the right one - for both of them. I won't say too much to save on the spoilers.
Colin Farrell shows up briefly in a role that could have easily been the cliche protege who forgets where he's come from, but they make a real character out of him - he loves and respects Bad - he doesn't forget that he owes the man everything.
This was a lovely little film full of great performances, wonderful honest storytelling, and some pretty damn fine music by genius T Bone Burnett.
If you like films about real people with flaws and all - and if you like country music (which I myself are not particularly fond of), well then you can't go wrong with this one. It's a gem.
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