--- title: "Crazy Heart: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/crazy-heart/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/crazy-heart" critics_score: 68 critics_reviews: 20 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Crazy Heart (2009): what the critics said Critics' score 68 from 20 reviews: 11 positive, 7 mixed, 2 negative. Most critics like Crazy Heart, and nearly all of them like it for the same reason. Jeff Bridges’ performance as the washed-up country singer is praised in almost every review: understated, lived-in and convincing both at the microphone and away from it. His singing voice draws repeated comment, as do the original songs, and several reviews single out his easy rapport with Maggie Gyllenhaal. The story itself is called familiar by friend and foe alike; the positive reviews simply think Bridges makes that not matter. The reservations cluster on the script. Several critics find the redemption arc sentimental and tidy, and Slant argues the romance pushes a loose character study into a contrived, monotonous shape. The Hollywood Reporter goes furthest, calling the material tired and the film ordinary despite being watchable, and Little White Lies finds the relationships underdeveloped. The spread is wide, from warm recommendation to outright dismissal, but even the harshest reviews exempt Bridges from blame. ## Los Angeles Times — Kenneth Turan Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 16 December 2009. Turan finds the familiar story elevated by a powerful, memorable performance and welcome integrity. He singles out Bridges’ seamless transformation and the excellent original country songs for praise. [Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2009-dec-16-la-et-crazy16-2009dec16-story.html) ## The AV Club — Nathan Rabin Rating B+. 17 December 2009. The review finds the film overly sentimental and tidy but ultimately easy to root for. It praises Jeff Bridges’ humane, deeply empathetic performance and weathered singing voice. [Read the review](https://www.avclub.com/crazy-heart-1798207655) ## Empire — Nev Pierce Rating 4/5. 27 January 2010. The review calls the film deceptively affecting, with a familiar story elevated by strong performances. It singles out Jeff Bridges’ fully inhabited performance and the soulful songs as its greatest strengths. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/crazy-heart-review/) ## Radio Times — Stella Papamichael Rating 4/5. Papamichael finds the drama intimate and compelling, with Bridges giving a modest, nuanced performance. She also praises the warmth of his connection with Gyllenhaal’s journalist and her young son. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-6bbzvn/crazy-heart/) ## Total Film — Neil Smith Rating 4/5. 26 January 2010. Smith finds the film a familiar redemption drama, but says Bridges makes it worth watching. He praises Bridges’s gruff, authentic performance onstage and off. [Read the review](https://www.gamesradar.com/crazy-heart-review/) ## Variety — Todd McCarthy Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 30 November 2009. McCarthy finds the familiar redemption story engaging, largely because Jeff Bridges makes its central character feel beautifully true. He praises Bridges’ performance above all, while noting that the direction is amiable but could use more snap. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2009/film/reviews/crazy-heart-3-1200477252/) ## Evening Standard Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 10 April 2012. The critic finds the film enjoyable despite its familiar story and says Bridges gives a compelling performance. The review especially praises his expressive acting, warm singing voice, and the songs performed on stage. [Read the review](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/film/jeff-bridges-on-song-in-crazy-heart-7418713.html) ## The New York Times Fi1m's normalised score 65/100 (inferred from the text). 16 December 2009. The URL identifies a New York Times review of the specified film, but the review text is inaccessible. Its verdict and specific praise or criticism cannot be verified from the page provided. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/16/movies/16crazy.html) ## Screen Daily — Mike Goodridge Fi1m's normalised score 64/100 (inferred from the text). 30 November 2009. The page provides no accessible critical verdict. It offers no praise or complaint beyond the film’s identifying metadata. [Read the review](https://www.screendaily.com/reviews/crazy-heart/5008624.article) ## The Guardian — Peter Bradshaw Fi1m's normalised score 60/100 (inferred from the text). 18 February 2010. Bradshaw finds the film hokey and sentimental, but says Jeff Bridges’s performance just about rescues it. He particularly praises Bridges’s confident, effortless portrayal of the washed-up singer. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2010/feb/18/crazy-heart-film-review) ## Time Out Rating 3/5. 15 December 2009. The review celebrates Jeff Bridges, suggesting his achievements have not received enough recognition. It singles out his technical acting and ability to make every gesture count. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/crazy-heart-1) ## Slant Magazine — Nick Schager Rating 2/4. 15 December 2009. Schager finds the film loses its loose, character-study appeal as the romance drives it toward a contrived, monotonous redemption story. He praises Jeff Bridges for bringing distinctive humanity to the worn-down singer. [Read the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/crazy-heart/) ## Little White Lies — Lorien Haynes Rating 4/2/2. 19 February 2010. The review finds the film underdeveloped despite Scott Cooper’s potential. It praises Jeff Bridges’s detailed performance but says the character lacks enough context and the story’s relationships remain intangible. [Read the review](https://lwlies.com/reviews/crazy-heart) ## The Hollywood Reporter — Kirk Honeycutt Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 29 November 2009. Honeycutt finds the film conventional and ordinary, despite its watchability. He praises Jeff Bridges’ mesmerizing performance and convincing singing, while criticizing the tired material. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/crazy-heart-review-movie-2009-93783/) ## Digital Spy — Stella Papamichael Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 15 February 2010. The review is strongly positive, calling the film bittersweet and its ending romantic without becoming overly sentimental. It especially praises Jeff Bridges’s note-perfect, understated performance. [Read the review](https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a202819/crazy-heart/) ## The Wrap — Steve Pond Fi1m's normalised score 82/100 (inferred from the text). 6 November 2009. The critic finds the film imperfect but warmly engaging, and argues that Jeff Bridges deserves Oscar recognition. He especially praises Bridges’ grounded, authentic performance and the lived-in quality of T Bone Burnett’s songs. [Read the review](https://www.thewrap.com/jeff-bridges-crazy-heart-nominate-him-9780/) ## Eye for Film — James Gracey Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 21 February 2010. The critic finds the familiar story elevated by restrained writing and strong performances. Jeff Bridges’s understated performance and his natural rapport with Maggie Gyllenhaal are singled out for praise. [Read the review](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/crazy-heart-film-review-by-james-gracey) ## Collider — Andre Dellamorte Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 6 May 2010. The critic finds the film solid and rewarding, though familiar, with Jeff Bridges’s performance carrying it. He praises Bridges’s nuanced small moments and also singles out the music and Colin Farrell’s supporting work. [Read the review](https://collider.com/crazy-heart-blu-ray-review-jeff-bridges/) ## Paste — Chris Willman Fi1m's normalised score 65/100 (inferred from the text). 15 January 2010. Willman finds the film engaging and honest overall, despite a disappointing final stretch. He especially praises Jeff Bridges’ nuanced, unshowy portrayal of a functional alcoholic country singer. [Read the review](https://www.pastemagazine.com/movies/heart/crazy-heart-review) ## Den of Geek — Michael Leader Rating 3/5. 19 February 2010. Leader finds the film dramatically weak despite Jeff Bridges’ outstanding performance. He especially praises Bridges’ charismatic singing and acting in the musical scenes. [Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/crazy-heart-review/) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/crazy-heart.md