Jeff Bridges: 5 Great Offbeat Films

[Mr Rob]

Hearts of the West is overlooked. It’s a brilliant short movie, incredible cast, and very quotable lines and moments. Andy Griffith stars too but in a unique casting. Thanks for the list.

Have you read Jeff’s book on Buddhism?

[Jim Fields]

Hi Mr. Rob,

Thanks for reading my article! It's nice to meet someone who likes "Hearts of the West" as much as I do. To answer your question, I didn't know Jeff Bridges has written a book on Buddhism. I'll check it out; thanks for the recommendation!

[Gee S]

No Fisher King?

[Jim Fields]

Hi Gee S,

Thanks for reading! That's a good question. I love "The Fisher King" but I see it more as a Terry Gilliam creation than a Jeff Bridges' film per se, if that makes sense. Bridges, of course, is great in the film, but again, I think he's really serving Gilliam's unique vision in the movie.

[Books, Music, & Movies]

Is The Big Lewbowski offbeat? Just watched Stay Hungry, it was decent. What The Fisher King, Fearless, and Arlington Road for offbeat?

[Jim Fields]

Hi Ktiranno,

Thanks for reading! I think it comes down to how you define "offbeat." "The Fisher King" might qualify, I guess, since Terry Gilliam has his own unique sensibility. I personally don't think "Fearless" and "Arlington Road" are offbeat (I think it's harder to make an offbeat drama than an offbeat comedy, or comedy-drama). My goal in writing this article was to highlight these little seen oddball movies and help more people discover them.

[Robert Andersen]

Five Easy Pieces and Rancho Deluxe were small films with large purchase. I include The Last Detail and The Lifeguard in that very select group of Seventies Americana that saw me through my off-road off-script twenties. Bravo Bridges and Nicholson and Sam Elliott.

[Jim Fields]

Hi Robert,

Thanks for reading! I've never seen "The Lifeguard" with Sam Elliott before, but I've been curious about it. I'm thinking of getting the Fun City Editions blu-ray soon. Also, I think "The Last Detail" is a great movie; everyone involved was at the top of their game: Jack Nicholson, Hal Ashby, the director, and the great screenwriter, Robert Towne. I also think "Five Easy Pieces" is a masterpiece - one of the best films of the 70s. And, "Rancho Deluxe" is a fun little film I really enjoy watching again and again.

[Phil]

Cutters Way

[Jim Fields]

Hi Phil,

Thanks for reading! I love "Cutter's Way" too. Both Bridges and John Heard are great in that film.

[Gary]

Gotta add King Kong here since he brings such a gonzo vibe.

[Jim Fields]

Hi Gary,

Thanks for reading! Bridges is great in the '76 remake of "King Kong," but I think he's outshined by the late Charles Grodin, who is so good as the villain he steals every scene he's in.

[John Kirsch]

What about Fat City?

[Jim Fields]

Hi John,

Thanks for reading! "Fat City" is a great film and one of my all-time favorite Jeff Bridges (and director John Huston's) movies. But, for myself, I don't consider it off-beat; it's a straight-ahead drama based on an acclaimed book. Even so, it's one of John Huston's best films, and I wish more people knew about it today.

[John Kirsch]

The ending of the film is different from the book but effective nevertheless. I think Huston was quite proud of the film, as he should have been.

One reason I like it is the authenticity, as it appears to have been filmed on location.

[Ron Hunter]

Great article!

[Jim Fields]

Hi Ron,

Thanks for reading!

[Gordon Schenck]

Thunderbolt and Lightfoot. Another modern western about a bankrobbery with an early version of a young Dude.

[Jim Fields]

Hi Gordon,

Thanks for reading! Yes, I love "Thunderbolt and Lightfoot." I think a case could be made that it's director Michael Cimino's best film (even better than "The Deer Hunter"). Bridges is really great in this movie too.

[Harvey D]

Fabulous Baker Boys. Not sure if you consider this underrated. But great performance by Jeff

[Jim Fields]

Hi Harvey,

Thanks for reading! Yes, I think "The Fabulous Baker Boys" is a very underrated movie. Both Jeff and his older brother Beau (and Michelle Pfeiffer) are great in it. Since I was focusing my article on Bridges' more offbeat movies, I couldn't include it, but It's a film I like quite a bit.

[Christopher's Eclectic as Hell]

Hearts of the West is one of my all-time faves. I saw it three times in the theater when it came out.

[Jim Fields]

Hi Christopher,

Thanks for reading! I saw "Hearts of the West" in the theater too. I remember telling all of my friends at high school about it but none of them were very interested. It's a shame more people haven't seen the film. I hope it gets a blu-ray release sometime soon.

[Christopher's Eclectic as Hell]

De nada. Good article. I also confess to having a thing for Blythe Danner back in the day.

[steven hensley]

I prefer his True Grit to John Wayne's version

[Jim Fields]

Hi Steven,

Thanks for reading! Yes, I agree! Bridges is great in that movie.

[Lloyd Dean]

Great post, Jim. I enjoyed his performance in Hell or High Water. I have the dude on 4K, your post has promoted it in my viewing list.

[Jim Fields]

Hi Lloyd,

Thanks for reading! Bridges is really great in "Hell Or High Water." It's an Oscar caliber performance, for sure.

[Tom C]

The Fisher King

[Andy’s Weird Ohio]

Great list. "Thunderbolt and Lightfoot" is another one I think of that more people should see.

[Jim Fields]

Hi Andy,

Thanks for reading! Yes, Bridges is great in "Thunderbolt and Lightfoot," which I think is an excellent film too. I agree that more people should see it.

[Alex Belth]

I’ve never seen “Hearts of the West,” thanks for bringing it to our attention. Really enjoyed this piece. I’m a big Bridges fan, too.

[Jim Fields]

Hi Alex,

Thanks for reading! Let me know what you think of "Hearts of the West" after you've had a chance to see it. I'm sure you'll enjoy it too.