Crazy

Apparently Hank Garland was a great guitar player. Perhaps a great musician and not much else. In keeping with that, the music in this film was great as well, but the story was strangely unmoving.

If this pic is to be believed, he was bad at marriage. He married a woman but neither one loved the other in the truest sense of that word, that is wanting their happiness more than one's own. Each just wanted some of their needs met. On the positive side, Garland was essentially color-blind when it came to music but again, that may not have been a real virtue in his case as much as just a failure to see anything outside the music.

Because of his arrogance and talent he was a problem for those around him. That failing eventually brought about much of the unhappiness in his life.

The ending sort of suggested that in the end he was left with little but the songs he'd recorded and strangely that might have been enough. As with many movies, things are simplified to fit in the allotted time and I'm still unclear about many aspects of his life. For example, he's listed as being survived by two daughters and two grandsons named Garland. I'm not clear how that was possible. Given that facts like that have been left out of this film, I wonder what else was left out.

BTW... there is another, very different movie C.R.A.Z.Y. that I enjoyed more and it has great music as well.

In Hawaii where the residents truly value guitar talent and a good story, Crazy did not leave the 2008 Big Island Film Festival audiences disappointed. Although the Hawaiian guitar music is slack key style, the audiences appreciated the tumultuous story of Hank Garland's Nashville career. Under the stars, both residents and visitors enjoyed the story, the performance of Waylon, the technical quality of the films and the music of the era. Many commented on how much the music of Crazy was tied to the music of their parents. Many also asked when Crazy was coming to the theaters, so they could see it again and share it with their friends. It was a hit at Big Island Film Festival and won the Golden Honu Award for Best Feature. We are looking forward to Ric Bieber's next film.

When I hear what passes for music in businesses and in movies and TV, I wonder if there is any hope. Then I watch a movie like this. All of the music is so good! The worst song is "Jingle Bell Rock", and that's only because I want my Christmas music very traditional.

It's hard to believe a bad boy like Hank Garland can play the guitar in such a mellow style. Of course, he can do rock and roll, too, which is what someone like him would be expected to. But it's the good kind. And he seems happiest when he is playing.

And then there is Wes Montgomery. Such a nice, pleasant jazz sound. As portrayed by Tony MacAlpine, he looks like he's mad at someone, or at the very least you don't want to mess with him. But he and his other musicians do easy listening right, with sort of an attitude to keep it from being boring.

Nice restaurants also have a pleasant but more generic jazz sound.

Mandy Barnett as Patsy Cline (who, ironically, is never shown singing the title song) and Shawn Colvin as Kitty Wells (I did not know who she was supposed to be) give great performances. They never speak lines, but that's not important.

Jason Alan Smith as Elvis was a disappointment. He never speaks, but he has that trademark sneer on "Amazing Grace", which goes against the image of Elvis showing respect while singing gospel music.

But this is more than just great music. Hank Garland starts out as a clean-cut kid, but later on as a respected backup performer, he has enough money to get what he wants, and manages to be charming with the women he can get, though men better not make him mad. All he seems to know how to do when angered is punch somebody. Fortunately for Evelyn, it's never her. Though once she is married to him, he tells her he cares and never manages to show it. His career is his first priority. There are women, but of course they don't mean anything--right? Garland does love their daughter, but he's hardly ever around. Nevertheless, Evelyn "stands by her man", but she does have needs.

And while he claims to have co-written "Jingle Bell Rock", despite what the movie's credits say, he must deal with a system that makes him choose between being a performer and a writer. Garland wants to be both.

And the people who don't want Garland going against the system can do more than just punch Garland's lights out.

While much of the movie other than the music is unpleasant to watch, the acting performances are good. Ali Larter showed obvious concern, for example, when she noticed another woman looking at her husband.

There's a reason for the movie's title (other than the Patsy Cline song that is limited to the closing credits) which I will only say is revealed in the first scene. Other than that, I feel I would be giving away too much. I have to wonder why "Sugarfoot" was not used as a title, since two songs with this name are Garland's trademarks, and this becomes a nickname.

The movie deals with racism. Country/rock performer Garland discovers jazz and dares to enter an all-black club where the music is played. He is seen as an outsider, but once he starts playing that kind of music, this is no longer the case. But having a "colored man" in his group backfires once he returns to the South. Hotels won't welcome the man, and Evelyn claims she is trying to raise their daughter with the right values and can't have the likes of him around her.

It's worth seeing, for the music if nothing else. Just remember Hank Garland went through so much misery to make us so happy.

I recently saw Crazy at the Hoboken Film Festival and was blown away by every aspect of the movie. Not knowing anything about the life of Hank Garland I was captivated from the opening scene to the very end. The movie is extremely well written and well cast. The actors have their characters down pat and give very believable performances, especially Waylon Payne as Hank. Director Rick Bieber's technique of filling the screen with his characters' faces completely draws you in, and Ali Larter has never looked more beautiful. I can't wait to see it on a big theatrical screen. If you like music of any kind you'll find this film fascinating.

I recently had the pleasure of seeing "Crazy" at the Breckenridge Film Festival. It is an awesome movie, and won "Best of Fest" at this Festival. The story centers on the life of Hank Garland, a talented musician who played with the likes of Elvis Presley and Patsy Cline.

The costumes and scenes are fabulous and immediately give you the feeling of being in the 1950's. From the beginning, this movie draws you into its characters and you not only care about them, but cannot wait to find out what happens next. There is a good bit of humor mixed into the drama, and between the poignant moments, you will laugh out loud. The lead role, of Hank Garland, played by Waylon Payne, won Best Actor at this Festival. The depth of his emotions and performance amazed me.

Besides a great story, fabulous scenes and costumes, and terrific acting, you also get a great soundtrack. I am only minimally versed or interested in country music, and yet I have every intention of buying this soundtrack. The music selections are classics and sure to be an addition to your musical library. When this movie opens nationally, I will pay to go see it again!