I'm going to take a lot of heat for this review but............
The sets and acting were superb. The script was good. There was just enough -not too much, not too little- music and it sounded awesome. The story dragged in spots and some of the scenes between Hank and Evelyn (there were many) were overly long and repetitive, i.e., we've already been told the relationship is falling apart.
Here's where I get into trouble: There just was not enough dynamic aspects, events, etc., in Hank Garland's life to make as effective a story as; e.g., Johnny Cash, Ray Charles, Jim Morrison, Muddy Waters, John Lennon, etc. I know, I know....why should Hank suffer because he was a better guy than the listed group? It's to his credit that the movie didn't grovel in low-life and was not quite as tragic as; e.g., Buddy Holly, Richie Valens, Sid Vicious, Patsy Cline, etc. But neither does it make for riveting entertainment.
I'm reviewer #18. CRAZY scored several "10"'s and while I appreciate and respect those reviews I'm wondering where those guys make room for really highbrow stuff. I'm a guitar player/lover and would have enjoyed CRAZY even it wasn't half as good as it was. But I couldn't get into Hank's character as he was just the same well intentioned but excitable guy throughout. The sub-plot (sub-relationships?) between Hank and brother, friends and business partners didn't really have function - they were just THERE. The only thing that truly stirred me was my anger at Evelyn for screwing around with Hank's arch enemy! But any viewer could have seen from the beginning of the relationship that it was doomed and the whole last third of the movie was just flat (if true too).
As far as music industry biopics, if you want insight into the music industry watch CADILLAC RECORDS or GRACE OF MY HEART. If you want rags to riches and tragedy watch THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY, LA BAMBA or SID & NANCY. If you want character development watch RAY or I WALK THE LINE. If you want capture and spirit of the era watch THE DOORS or ALMOST FAMOUS. If you prefer all of the above in a Nashville setting watch COAL MINER'S DAUGHTER or SWEET DREAMS. There were many aspects of CRAZY that were better than many aspects of the above films. But CRAZY doesn't stack up as whole as do most of such.
PS / When is some contemporary filmmaker going to do justice to Hank Williams!?
The sets and acting were superb. The script was good. There was just enough -not too much, not too little- music and it sounded awesome. The story dragged in spots and some of the scenes between Hank and Evelyn (there were many) were overly long and repetitive, i.e., we've already been told the relationship is falling apart.
Here's where I get into trouble: There just was not enough dynamic aspects, events, etc., in Hank Garland's life to make as effective a story as; e.g., Johnny Cash, Ray Charles, Jim Morrison, Muddy Waters, John Lennon, etc. I know, I know....why should Hank suffer because he was a better guy than the listed group? It's to his credit that the movie didn't grovel in low-life and was not quite as tragic as; e.g., Buddy Holly, Richie Valens, Sid Vicious, Patsy Cline, etc. But neither does it make for riveting entertainment.
I'm reviewer #18. CRAZY scored several "10"'s and while I appreciate and respect those reviews I'm wondering where those guys make room for really highbrow stuff. I'm a guitar player/lover and would have enjoyed CRAZY even it wasn't half as good as it was. But I couldn't get into Hank's character as he was just the same well intentioned but excitable guy throughout. The sub-plot (sub-relationships?) between Hank and brother, friends and business partners didn't really have function - they were just THERE. The only thing that truly stirred me was my anger at Evelyn for screwing around with Hank's arch enemy! But any viewer could have seen from the beginning of the relationship that it was doomed and the whole last third of the movie was just flat (if true too).
As far as music industry biopics, if you want insight into the music industry watch CADILLAC RECORDS or GRACE OF MY HEART. If you want rags to riches and tragedy watch THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY, LA BAMBA or SID & NANCY. If you want character development watch RAY or I WALK THE LINE. If you want capture and spirit of the era watch THE DOORS or ALMOST FAMOUS. If you prefer all of the above in a Nashville setting watch COAL MINER'S DAUGHTER or SWEET DREAMS. There were many aspects of CRAZY that were better than many aspects of the above films. But CRAZY doesn't stack up as whole as do most of such.
PS / When is some contemporary filmmaker going to do justice to Hank Williams!?