It's All Country Music, Faded Stardom, Liquor and Age in 'Crazy Heart'

Made with Country Music Television money, Crazy Heart’s winding road to Sundance avoided the superficial novelty of the “indie” market. The subject of rehabilitation is old and resonant. (Says Waylon, “We’ve been the same way for years/We need to change.”) No scene feels obligatory, and Crazy Heart shows a pragmatic but tender understanding of the relationship between physical breakdown and the discovery of morality. It’s merely a well-done, adult American movie—that is to say, a rarity.

Crazy Heart was written and directed by Scott Cooper, based on the novel by Thomas Cobb; and stars Jeff Bridges, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Robert Duvall and Colin Farrell. Rated R. Select theaters.