The harder the life, the sweeter the song.

Starring: Jeff Bridges, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Robert Duvall, Colin Farrell, James Keane, Anna Felix, Paul Herman, Tom Bower

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★☆☆ - great

"I wanna talk about how bad you make this room look. I never noticed what a dump it was until you came in here." - Bad Blake

Why watch this? Like Robert Duvall in Tender Mercies (1983), Bridges takes on the talented, tragic "country singer".

Plot Summary: This story is about Bad Blake, a weathered country music singer struggling with alcohol and a fading career. He finds a glimmer of hope when he meets Jean, a compassionate journalist. Their relationship inspires him to confront his destructive habits and potentially find a path towards redemption.

Dad's Preview: Audiences love the story of a nobody who makes it big, then falls from grace. Be it drugs, alcohol or some other vice, they fall, usually hard, and damage relationships with their loved ones. America likewise loves "the comeback". We will forgive almost any transgression. C'mon, sing again! Get back on top! The steady Jeff Bridges always comes through, and he certainly does here, flexing his vocal pipes. As a nod to Tender Mercies (1983), Robert Duvall even shows up in a small role.

Informant Media, Butcher's Run Films, Dune Ent.; Fox Searchlight Pictures