The movie starts off with Jeff Bridges in front of a bowling alley... so that in itself made it awesome from the start if you're a Lebowski fan. This isn't the lovable stoner character, but rather a dark, real depiction of acoholism and the fickle nature of fame. The movie leaves you feeling incomplete. Not that the movie was incomplete, but rather YOU are after having watched it. However, give it a little time to sink in and you start to really feel the powerful "life goes on" message.
Take a friend, family member, or lover and go see Crazy Heart. The only thing I would suggest against is watching it alone.