Another good selection -- thank you Hooks. Every year I try to see the bulk of stuff nominated for Academy Awards so this was already on my radar. That being said, I can understand why it, as a film, was not nominated in the Best Motion Picture of the Year category yet Jeff Bridges was nominated (and won) Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role.
I don't mean that in any way as a knock on the film, but as a whole, it doesn't break new ground or forge in any unpredictable ways that'd make it timeless. We've seen better films about struggling alcoholics and artists before, the messiness of blossoming love when young children are involved, etc. The film really felt comfortable in the traditional three act set-up, not challenging conventions, etc. The first act was the introduction of Bad Blake, the second act the burgeoning love interest, and the third and final act the cleaning up of Blake, becoming sober so he could keep together what pieces of his life remained. Familiar shots and devices were used, overheads of his old truck driving down empty desert streets to show the changing of locations, etc.
The film's real power comes from Jeff Bridges' strong performance as Bad Blake. Blake reminded me of my own dad in some ways, a musician, and also someone who's never taken particularly good care of their health. In so far as comparing the strength and quality of Bridges' work, I'd bring up Mickey Rourke and his brilliant performance as Randy in Darren Aronofsky's The Wrestler (2008). Both actors were playing characters that were different enough from their real personas that you realized they had to get deep into the character to bring them to life. Both characters also demanded my attention whenever they were on the screen, living and breathing larger than life forces that commanded our curiosity by just being.
I think the scenes that will resonate with me longest took place during Blake's losing of Jane's son Buddy while he stopped for a drink. It was heart-wrenching, Blake unable to restrain his desire for alcohol, while it was clear he did love the boy and enjoy spending time with him, and how badly the situation turned. Anger that may develop in the viewer towards Blake is likely softened as the movie progresses; I felt hostility towards him and his decisions several times, but his conscious effort to get sober and clean up his life wipes much of that away as you realize he's turned a corner and is now trying the best he can. It was a good watch, wouldn't make my top twenty list for '09, but solid and definitely worth seeing for Jeff Bridges' excellent performance.
Totally agreed on that scene where he lost him, i had a line in my thoughts that said how that scene was hard to watch only because of the nature of the world today and the way Bridges portrayed it, if i had seen that same person in that same mall, i would have thought it hopeless.
ReplyDeleteI agree. There's been better but it was still a good ride.
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