Fifty-seven year old Otis Blake, better known by his stage name Bad Blake (Best Actor winner Jeff Bridges) is a minor country and western music legend, a status that relegates him to playing grade-Z venues like bowling alleys. Bad has dealt with his falling star status by living up to his name and becoming an overweight, chain-smoking alcoholic, a lifestyle that, his doctor assures him, will send him to an early grave. His self-destructive behavior has also decimated several marriages and alienated him from his adult son, whom he has not seen since age four.
While performing in Santa Fe, Bad meets newspaper journalist Jean Craddock (Best Actress Oscar nominee Maggie Gyllenhaal), and they begin a relationship. Meanwhile, Bad reconnects with a famous former touring partner, who wants Bad to write some songs for him. As his professional and personal futures start to brighten, can Bad keep his self-destructive lifestyle in check?
In addition to this year's Best Actor Oscar, Bridges also won the Best Actor Golden Globe, and T-Bone Burnett's "The Weary Kind" won the Golden Globe for Best Song. "Jeff Bridges' character may be called Bad Blake, but his performance is incredibly good, perhaps the best of his career." --Claudia Puig, USA Today (Rated R for language and brief sexuality.)
