The Dude goes country

Bad Blake is the perfect name for a washed-up, multiply divorced, alcoholic country singer. Played to perfection by Jeff Bridges, the role should earn him a long overdue Best Actor Oscar.

Forever in the shadow of his protege Tommy Sweet (Colin Farrell), Blake, who once played great venues, is resigned to performing in bowling alleys and dive bars. He still crosses paths with Sweet, who has not forgotten the respect he has for his mentor.
Blake is on the brink of drinking and smoking himself to death when he meets a beautiful single mom (Maggie Gyllenhaal) who becomes his last chance for redemption.

First-time director Scott Cooper has a soft spot for his hero, but for all of Bad’s sins, he doesn’t let the singer off the hook. Cooper’s film is despondently poetic with an emotive soundtrack from T-Bone Burnett that makes an otherwise trite story feel all the more unique.

“Crazy Heart” nearly went straight to cable but now is the surprise hit of the year. Country music has never sounded so good