In 'Crazy Heart,' Yet Another May-December Pairing

2 years ago

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Mary C. Curtis

National Correspondent

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If only the movies were more like real life.

Judy Howard Ellis noted a "swooning moment" when actor and middle-aged-antidote-to-lousy-husbands Jeff Bridges paid loving tribute to his wife, Susan, at the Screen Actors Guild Awards. I was as ahh-struck as any other woman of a certain age, especially since I believe Bridges has long been overlooked. (Hollywood has a tendency to honor big performances and ignore the reliable actor's more nuanced work.)

So this weekend -- filled with warm fuzzies for the actor and the man -- I finally got to "Crazy Heart" and the performance that is winning Bridges accolades. Though Bridges literally and figuratively fleshes out flawed country singer Bad Blake, my husband and I were disappointed that his would-be redeemer in the film, played by Maggie Gyllenhaal, is so much younger than the character and the actor.

Jeff and Susan Bridges have three daughters; the oldest is just four years younger than Gyllenhaal. He is 28 years older than his leading lady. I realize that her character's youth is part of her appeal, a lifeline to an over-the-hill carouser. Still, the age difference is kind of creepy. My husband said he felt sorry for character actress Beth Grant, who is left to play the aging groupie Bridges leaves snoring in a dingy motel room. Note to Hollywood: An older woman doesn't have to be a caricature.

I truly love Gyllenhaal – who wouldn't after seeing her make something touching of the twisted employer-employee relationship in the movie "Secretary"? She does a nice job in "Crazy Heart." But if you're an older woman in Hollywood and your name isn't Streep, Sarandon or Mirren, the view must be mighty bleak. (Europe seems to be a bit better at giving their actresses challenges as they age. Isabelle Huppert, I'm talking about you.)

The over-40 Hollywood actresses who haven't resorted to the frozen Botox stare have to keep themselves in great shape, while actors like Bridges and Jack Nicholson are allowed to be charming without six-pack abs.

You don't have to remind me about Hollywood's double standard. I know it's a place where Academy Award and Emmy-winning actress Sally Field goes from playing Tom Hanks' love interest ("Punchline") to mother ("Forrest Gump") in the space of a few years. And so my wish is a fantasy.

But considering Jeff Bridges' longtime partner in real life is close to his age and they seem to be doing just fine, it would be nice if Susan Bridges' big-screen counterpart were a mere 10 years younger than her leading man.

Is that too much to ask?

Filed Under: Woman Up, Culture

Tagged: jeff bridges, JeffBridges, maggie gyllenhaal, MaggieGyllenhaal

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