My wife and I found Crazy Heart to be the best movie we have seen since the Oscars last year. All the characters seemed REAL and Bridges gave the performance of a lifetime. Likewise, Gyllenhaal gives one of her best performances. My wife even commented that she was pleasantly surprised by Colin Ferrell's performance. Rather than his usual "bad boy" roles he is the coutry superstar who shows respect for his mentor Bad Blake aka Bridges. The story plays like a country song...failed marriages, drinking, son he never knew, etc. Outstanding movie!