This movie made me want to puke. I’m really glad I watched an illegal download because I would have been mad if I paid money for that.
Now that that’s off my chest, the casting choices were spectacular. The performances rocked. Jeff Bridges deserves every bit of his Best Actor Oscar nomination for his performance as Bad Blake, a washed-up country music star. Maggie Gyllenhall definitely deserves her Best Supporting Actress nomination for her performance as journalist, single mother and love interest, Jean Craddock. Collin Ferrell is AMAZING as Tommy Sweet, a younger country star who “learned everything he knew” from Blake and is now selling to sold out stadiums while Blake plays bowling alleys.
But let me get back to the puking. Imagine a rusty suburban in the middle of dusty nowhere. The door opens. An older, overweight man with sweat and puke on his shirt steps out, a cigarette dangling from his lip as he rebuckles his belt. He stumbles towards a younger, hot woman slurring the greeting “hellooo, daaahling.” Then the younger hot woman makes out with him!
In what world does this happen? I understand the allure of the rock star, but this guy is an alcoholic has-been with man boobs! On a few occasions, the enamored mother leaves for work, happily leaving her four year-old son with an alcoholic she just met a couple weeks ago. Then the alcoholic looses her son. Surprise! All I was thinking was, "Why would you trust your son to this guy in the first place? Are you crazy?"
I recently read an article in Backstage in which Maggie Gyllenhaal stated she had always wanted to work with Bridges and really admired his work. Perhaps that’s why the chemistry between the two seems natural, never forced or uncomfortable. It was just me that was uncomfortable watching this character I had no sympathy towards get the girl.
At the turning point in the movie, Blake’s doctor warns him of the perils of his “general condition…or lack of it.” Too true. Blake makes a call to his bartender best friend (played by Robert Duvall) and tells him he wants to get sober. And we fast forward to 16 months later when he has amazingly stayed sober! And written a ton of new songs! And has money to burn! And gets to see Jean again! And well, I guess I thought it was too easy.
If you want to see some amazing acting, see this movie. If you need a reason to lay off the booze, see this movie. If you just ate some questionable seafood or may be coming down with the flu, DO NOT see this movie. Unless you feel like adding vomit stains to your couch.
