Crazy (2008)

This is a tender, generous movie that likes its characters and presents them as real people, full of flaws and strengths.

I really wanted to like this movie. I feel terribly cynical trashing it, and that's why I'm giving it a middling 5. Actually, I'm giving it a 5 because there were some superb performances.

The acting in this movie is really good.

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

Hi, I saw CRAZY at the Charleston International Film Festival www.CharlestonIFF.com, South Carolina at the Terrace Theater www.TerraceTheater.com, and thought it was awesome on the big screen, the music, the acting was really impressive! I had no idea about the music industry back then and how musicians were treated in regards to contract terms, rights, etc. It really opened my eyes and is interesting to compare how it was then to now. It's really crazy, tragic and also inspiring when you realize this person put music above all else, fought against the system that was completely slanted in favor of the studios and how he maintained after a turn of bad luck. I've had the chance to speak with friends of Hank Garland at the screening, musicians and friends of his. One senior lady came in slowly and mentioned she and Hank were friends. I told her I'd love to hear afterwards if the movie was accurate of his life and maverick personality. Afterwards she said it was just like she remembered him. If you have a chance to see this film CRAZY in a theater somewhere, I'd definitely recommend checking it out....

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!

"Crazy" held great appeal for me in that it was believable, cast well, had good content and stellar acting. I particularly enjoyed the opening scene, where and how it took the viewers and felt it was an easy movie to follow. I never got lost and or lose interest which happens with today's movies far too often. I was riveted to the screen from beginning to end. I loved the music (all of it), the authenticity of the sound, costumes, sets, colors, cars, instruments - for me, it all worked. I felt as though I was taken on a journey through the characters lives and could empathize with each and every one. I ran the gamut of emotions from joy, pain, frustration, hope, disappointment and ultimately wonder. The music was magnificent, great score. The actors morphed into their characters and were totally believable. I actually lost all track of time and was surprised and disappointed when the movie ended - I wanted more. Not being a huge fan of country music, yet loving music, I was pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed it and now listen to the CD frequently, particularly the title song "Crazy" sung by Stacy Earl. I enjoyed the format of the movie and though it was dark, it had other elements that allowed me to forgive the grim ending. As a movie goer, we all want happy endings but realize in real life, and this was real life, that isn't always the case. On the contrary, this was and seems to be typical of celebrity. I'm wondering if there's yet more story to be told about these people. It seemed to me there could be more content about their personal lives that could be revealed without the movie being overworked or overdone. What happened to the characters later on? Who was with whom, who lived, who died, how did they cope? Feeling this way makes me want more and that was what I was experiencing after viewing it. I wanted more. The best compliment I can give any film, concert, play, etc., is to leave wanting more and I rate this movie a 10.

...much is expected". This is the story of Hank Garland, a 1950's Nashville studio musician turned legend by way of his extraordinary guitar picking artistry. Though Garland never quite seems to reach the personal plateau of his own musical genius, his story is woven with the usual highs and lows made famous by others in his peer group, most notably- Elvis Presley. First time movie director, Rick Bieber (who co-wrote the movie with Jason Ehlers) has effectively managed to combine the key elements of movie making that transfuse joy, sadness humor and anger from the screen to the viewer. Additionally, the stellar cast of lead actors (Waylon Payne, Ali Larter,Lane Garrison and Scott Michael Campbell) have all rendered life-like performances with a palpable sense of finesse that had me holding a torch of hope for Garland, almost to the end. Sadly though, history wrote that ending with a different curve. Nonetheless, Bieber has painted a more than realistic canvas necessary for this movie goer to keep from reaching for the "clicker." Not once did I do it...and that my friends, for me, is the sign of decent flick!