From award shows to tabloids to endless paparazzi photographs, Americans have access to nearly everything related to celebrities. However, they don’t often see stars’ existences once their spotlight has faded. Scott Cooper’s directorial debut, “Crazy Heart,” focuses on one man’s journey after fame and his efforts to return to his glory days.

Viewers come across Bad Blake, a fallen country singer who will play just about anywhere as long as liquor is nearby, as he prepares for his latest gig at a bowling alley.

Bad Blake, played by Jeff Bridges, appears unable (or unwilling) to accept the reality of his life and uses alcohol to escape from his lackluster existence. He travels across the country in a beaten up car, complains to his manager about his life on the road, and turns to one-night stands with his still-dedicated groupies as his only companionship. With a long beard and an untamed head of locks, the physicality of the character is not the only way that viewers see how his star power has slowly eroded away.

Bridges, who won a Golden Globe for his “Crazy Heart” performance, brings realism to the role that could have been undermined with too many drunken music star cliques. Viewers see his fight to stay true to himself and relevant in the music scene that is ever changing. At one point, he refuses to sell his CDs during his concerts, one of many ways in which musicians make money today. Bridges portrays a man who is stumbling in his personal life and only comes alive for his one true love, music.

Bad Blake thinks he has found another love in a small motel in Santa Fe, New Mexico when he meets journalist and single mother, Jean Craddock, played by Maggie Gyllenhaal. The connection between the characters is palpable from nearly the minute she walks into his room. Craddock interviews him about everything from his musical influences to his given name. Their bond is formed over their shared love of country music. During one of their encounters, Bad Blake explains, “I want to talk about how bad you make this room look.”

Their friendship quickly blossoms into a romance. Audiences are brought along as Jean falls in love with Bad Blake and invites him into her world including spending time with her four-year-old son, Buddy. During their romance, Jean faces an internal battle with emotional baggage from her past relationships and the mistakes she has made in the past. A fling between the characters seems likely. Yet, the complex long-distance relationship seen on screen is overly idealistic, as their lives seem to be on two different paths.

Bridges makes the relationship slightly more believable as viewers see his character change as he continues to spend time with Buddy. While continuing to battle his demons, he tries to become the man that Jean needs him to be. He realizes that she is offering him a second chance at the family life that he has always wanted. During the course of their relationship, he grapples with how to make amends for his past mistakes.

Throughout the film, Cooper finds ways to demonstrate how Bad Blake’s life has changed since his days as a famous country singer. The film juxtaposes his life with the career of Tommy Sweet, a country star who was once mentored by Bad Blake himself. As an opener on Tommy’s tour, Bad Blake sees the sacrifices he made to find success in the music industry. In contrast, Tommy has managed to mount a successful tour and have a happy home life.

Tommy, played by Colin Farrell, shows respect and admiration for Bad Blake; yet, he makes no apologies for the success that he has earned. Farrell is charismatic and shows real stage presence as he performs in front of crowds. He also has a strong singing voice especially when sharing a duet with Bridges. Music is the backbone from which this film was built.

Bad Blake’s true emotions are discovered through the lyrics of his music. Ryan Bingham and T Bone Burnett, who worked on the music for “Walk the Line” and “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” won a Golden Globe for the film’s theme song, “The Weary Kind.” Their music becomes Bad Blake’s internal dialogue that allows viewers to gain a deeper understanding of his struggles. At one moment, he sings, “It’s funny how falling feels like flying for a little while.”

“Crazy Heart” based on the 1987 novel by Thomas Cobb is a film worth seeing as Bridges, Gyllenhaal, and Farrell give memorable performances and the music may have you tapping your feet before you leave the theater.