Thomas Attila Lewis, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
By Geoff Carter
Over a career that’s spanned four decades, we’ve seen Jeff Bridges portray fresh-faced and hopeful young men like Duane Jackson in The Last Picture Show or Lightfoot in Thunderbolt and Lightfoot and then grow into cynical middle-aged curmudgeons like Rooster Cogburn in True Grit, or Otis “Bad” Blake in Crazy Heart. Early on, his laid-back manner, easy grin, and sincerity made him a likable and attractive leading man, but later in his career, as he aged, his gruff and caustic persona seems the result of circumstances and fate wearing away at his—and by proxy, our own—youthful idealism. In short, Jeff Bridges’ characterizations—and his persona—have become representative of his generation’s cynicism, disillusionment, and disappointment.
While Bridges has always possessed the looks and charisma to be a romantic lead, he has eschewed that label and chosen roles that run the gamut from ex-athletes to goofy ne’er-do-wells to murderers—or to lawmen (sometimes stoned detectives). He has stretched himself into roles that traverse the spectrum of human experience—and he makes it all look so easy.
In her review of The Last American Hero, Pauline Kael said that Bridges “may be the most natural and least self-conscious screen actor who ever lived”. He certainly makes it seem that way. His portrayal of the alien in Starman is a wonder of the screen; while depicting a being newly born into a human body and determined to understand humanity, Bridges’s acting is so natural and uncontrived that the viewer barely questions the reality of the character’s strange predicatment.
His early persona as a combination of honesty, vulnerability, and easygoing amiability—now somewhat hidden under layers of experience—has defined him as a star, but Bridges has been shrewd enough to use these qualities to amplify and underline the immorality of some of his characters. The sincerity of accused killer Jack Forrester in The Jagged Edge belies the growing suspicions of his attorney—and the audience, while the transformation of the narcissistic shock-jock Jack Lucas in The Fisher King is all the more believable because of Bridges’ ability to convey a sense of guilt—and need for redemption—from behind that bitter facade.
While appearing in over seventy-five films, Jeff Bridges has somehow managed to maintain a modestly low profile; he is not one to linger in the limelight. He is, like The Dude in The Big Lebowski, an actor who seems to be, but who is hardly, expending as little energy as possible. That, of course, is his genius.
The Ten Best Films of Jeff Bridges
The Last Picture Show: In this Peter Bogdanovich classic set in a 1950s Texas town, Bridges portrays Duane Jackson, a high-school senior whose dreams have not yet been eroded by the hopelessness of the dying Texas oil town. He is dating Jacy Farrow (Cybil Shepherd), the prettiest girl in town, while his best friend Sonny Crawford (Timothy Bottoms) has turned to Ruth Popper (Cloris Leachman), the middle-aged wife of the local football coach, for love. Sam (Ben Johnson) who owns the theater and pool hall, is the boys’ mentor and only moral compass. When Jacy is rejected by a rich prospect, she rejects Duane and turns to Sonny for consolation and the two have a fight. Bridges’ performance here established him as a good-guy all-American type. Notable for Cloris Leachman’s exceptional performance.
Starring: Jeff Bridges, Timothy Bottoms, Cybil Shepherd, Cloris Leachman, Ben Johnson, Randy Quaid, Ellyn Burstyn, and Sam Bottoms. Written by Larry McMurtry and Peter Bogdanovich. Directed by Peter Bogdanovich.
Thunderbolt and Lightfoot: In this comic crime film, Bridges plays “Lightfoot” an exuberant and flighty petty thief who teams up with Thunderbolt (Clint Eastwood), a bank robber notorious for using a 20mm cannon to break into safes and who is trying to escape retribution from his old gang who mistakenly believes he betrayed them by keeping the loot from a previous robbery. After reconciling with his old mates Red Leary (George Kennedy) and Eddie Goody (Geoffrey Lewis), Thunderbolt proposes they rob the same bank again. They pull it off but are undone when they are—again—betrayed by one of their own. Notable for Bridges’ engaging performance as the flamboyant, glib, hilarious, and constantly bewildered Lightfoot is excellent. Also notable for being one of Michael Cimino’s early works.
Starring: Clint Eastwood, Jeff Bridges, George Kennedy, Geoffrey Lewis, Catherine Bach, Gary Busey, and Jack Dodson. Written and directed by Michael Cimino.
Starman: In this sci-fi thriller, government authorities are alerted when a UFO penetrates Earth airspace. Of course, the powers that be follow the craft and shoot it down. The alien pilot (Jeff Bridges) escapes and through a cloning process, assumes the identity of a young widow’s dead husband. The alien forces the widow, Jenny Hayden (Karen Allen), to take him to Meteor Crater to be picked up by his cohorts. The couple are pursued by SETI scientist Mark Shermin (Charles Martin Smith) and government thug George Fox (Richard Jaeckel). During their journey south, Jenny discovers that the alien has come in peace and is, in fact, much more civilized than the humans he is trying to escape from. Bridges’ performance as a fearless explorer finding his way through a new world is outstanding. Also notable for Karen Allen’s excellent performance.
Starring: Jeff Bridges, Karen Allen, Charles Martin Smith, Richard Jaeckel, Robert Phelan, Ted White, and Dirk Blocker. Written by Bruce A. Evans, Reynold Gideon, and Dean Reisner. Directed by John Carpenter.
Hell or High Water: In this clever neo-Western crime thriller, the Howard Brothers, Toby (Chris Pine) and Tanner (Ben Foster) start a well-planned bank robbery spree in order to pay off the reverse mortgage on the family ranch before the Midlands Bank forecloses on it. Texas Ranger Marcus Hamilton (Jeff Bridges) and his partner Alberto Parker (Gil Birmingham) pick up the brothers’ scent and lay in wait for the next heist. When the next robbery goes awry and a shootout ensues, things quickly go sour, Toby is able to escape and put the rest of the plan into action. His brother is not so lucky. The frustrated Hamilton, sure that Toby is the perpetrator, is unable to prove it and bring him to justice. Notable for Bridges playing yet another world-weary and cynical lawman who still wants justice. Also notable for a brilliantly written script.
Starring: Chris Pine, Ben Foster, Jeff Bridges, Gil Birmingham, Marin Ireland, Katy Mixon, and Kevin Rankin. Written by Taylor Sheridan. Directed by David Mackenzie.
True Grit: In this Coen Brothers remake of the classic Western, Mattie Ross (Hailee Steinfeld) sets out to avenge the murder of her father at the hands of Tom Chaney (Josh Brolin), his hired hand. To track Chaney into Indian Territory, Mattie enlists the aid of Rooster Cogburn (Jeff Bridges), a ruthless lawman who will use any means necessary to bring in his man. Mattie and Rooster are joined by LaBoeuf (Matt Damon) a Texas Ranger also on Chaney’s trail. After ambushing two outlaws, they discover that Chaney is in the company of Lucky Ned Pepper (Barry Pepper), Rooster’s old nemesis. The trio hunts Ned and Chaney down, and, in a spectacular climax, work their own brand of Western justice. Bridges plays Cogburn as a man doing whatever is necessary, on any side of the law, to survive. His concept of justice is—at the very least—fluid. Notable for Steinfeld’s excellent performance.
Starring: Jeff Bridges, Hailee Steinfeld, Matt Damon, Barry Pepper, Josh Brolin, Domhnail Gleeson, and Dakin Matthews. Written and directed by Ethan and Joel Coen.
The Big Lebowski: In this Coen Brothers cult classic, Bridges plays Jeff Lebowski, the Dude, the consummate slacker and disillusioned ex-hippie who gets roped into finding another Lebowski’s (the rich one) runaway trophy wife, Bunny. With the help of his volatile Vietnam Vet buddy Walter (John Goodman) and bowling buddy Donny (Steve Buscemi), the Dude confronts German nihilists, crooked cops, Lebowski’s stepdaughter (Julianna Moore), and porn king Jackie Treehorn (Ben Gazzara), on his mission to find the woman who doesn’t want to be found. Bridges’ performance as the ultimate non-traditional anti-hero is classic. He captures the bewilderment and frustration of a man out of his time and depth, but who—through a series of coincidences and sheer dumb luck—comes through. The Dude abides. Notable for great supporting performances by Philip Seymour Hoffman, Sam Elliott, and John Turturro.
Starring: Jeff Bridges, John Goodman, Steve Buscemi, John Turturro, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Julianna Moore, and David Huddleston. Written and directed by Joel and Ethan Coen.
The Fabulous Baker Boys: The piano duo of Frank Baker (Beau Bridges) and his disillusioned brother Jack (Jeff Bridges) has been performing the same tired jazz standards for years. When their bookings drop off and the audiences grow smaller, Frank persuades his brother to hire a female singer. They end up hiring free spirit Suzy Diamond (Michelle Pfeiffer) whose silky voice and sultry delivery revitalize the boys’ act and makes them a big draw again. When Jack and Suzy become romantically involved, and their relationship threatens to break up the act, Suzy accuses Jack of being a coward for not pursuing the career as a jazz musician he really wants. After Suzy leaves, the brothers’ gigs dry up and their relationship is threatened. Notable for Bridges’ performance as the emotionally stunted but charismatic Jack. Also notable for the casting of real-life brothers Jeff and Beau as the Bakers.
Starring: Beau Bridges, Jeff Bridges, Michelle Pfeiffer, Ellie Raab, Jennifer Tilly, Xander Berkeley, and Dakin Matthews. Written and directed by Steve Kloves.
Crazy Heart: In this drama about the music industry, Bridges plays Otis “Bad” Blake, a washed-up alcoholic country western singer. Once a star, he is now reduced to playing gigs in small venues. One night he meets divorced music journalist Jean Craddock (Maggie Gyllenhaal) and the two hit it off, eventually becoming involved. Jean encourages Bad to quit drinking and get his life back on track, so he contacts Tommy Sweet (Colin Farrell), a former protégé and asks him for help. Tommy gets him an opening gig but tells Bad he cannot do a recording with him. Blake starts backsliding, and, after an incident in which he loses Jean’s four-year-old son, he decides to quit drinking and get his life together. Notable for Bridges’ iconic performance as lost man trying to rediscover himself and his art.
Starring: Jeff Bridges, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Robert Duvall, Colin Farrell, Paul Herman, and Ryan Bingham. Written and directed by Scott Cooper.
Fat City: In this gritty look at the world of amateur boxing, Billy Tully (Stacy Keach), an over-the-hill boxer spars with eighteen-year-old Ernie Munger (Jeff Bridges) in whom he sees potential. Billy hooks Ernie up with his ex-manager Ruben (Nicholas Colasanto) who agrees to take the kid on. Billy, who drinks too much and cannot hold a job, moves in with Oma, a drinking buddy with whom he has a contentious relationship. Ernie gets whipped in his first two fights and when his girlfriend Faye (Candy Clark) tells him she’s pregnant, he marries her. Ruben lines Billy up for a fight with a tough aging fighter named Lucero. After a rough bout, Billy is declared the winner but only collects a pittance for his troubles. Oma leaves him and Billy is left with nothing. Notable for Bridges’ performance as the young, not-too-bright, but amiable Ernie. He is a likable boy but pathetically hopeful in his dream to be a boxer.
Starring: Stacy Keach, Jeff Bridges, Candy Clark, Nicholas Colasanto, Susan Tyrell, and Art Aragon. Written by Leonard Gardner. Directed by John Huston.
The Fisher King: In this drama, Jeff Bridges plays Jack Lucas, a caustic and abusive radio shock jock whose taunting of a caller results in a mass shooting in Manhattan. Shattered by guilt for causing the massacre, Lucas considers suicide while drunk but is accosted by a group of thugs who think he is homeless. Lucas is rescued by a homeless man, Parry (Robin Williams) who it turns out had a psychotic break after his wife died in the same mass shooting provoked by Lucas. Parry is obsessed with the delusion that he is the Fisher King and must find the Holy Grail. Seeking to redeem himself, Jack tries to help Parry reconcile his loss and renew himself. As Lucas, Bridges’ portrayal of a man seeking forgiveness and redemption for a thoughtless act is both inspiring and touching. Notable for Robin Williams’ incredible performance as Parry.
Starring: Jeff Bridges, Robin Williams, Mercedes Ruehl, Amanda Plummer, Michael Jeter, and David Hyde Pierce. Written by Richard LaGravenese. Directed by Terry Gilliam.
Honorable Mentions
The Jagged Edge
The Morning After
Tucker: The Man and His Dream
Seabiscuit
Tron
Artwork by Micheal DiMilo
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Once again the reviews are the best out there. I don’t know why mags like Entertainment or vanity fair don’t snap you up.
Thanks, Neal. You’re far too gracious. I wish they would snap me up.
Okay. Que es mas macho – Lloyd Bridges o Jeff Bridges? Si, Lloyd Bridges es mas macho.
Seriously though, great review — You’re right, Jeff Bridges’ performances are seemingly effortless
— and now I realize I’ve taken Jeff Bridges for granted for too long. Now I must atone on the sofa and binge on Jeff Bridges films.
Thank you. I think Lloyd is probably more macho. It came with that generation. Thanks for your kind words and I hope you don’t become a couch potato yourself.