Fox Searchlight Pictures will release their Jeff Bridges, Maggie Gyllenhaal and Robert Duvall starrer "Crazy Heart" on December 16th, in time for an awards run.

Scott Cooper makes his feature-length directorial debut on the project. The story follows a boozing and broken-down country singer Bad Blake (Bridges) who finds redemption with the aid of a young journalist (played by Gyllenhaal). Cooper wrote the screenplay which is based on the novel by Thomas Cobb.

Bridges can be seen this weekend in Overture Films' "The Men Who Stare At Goats" alongside George Clooney, Ewan McGregor and Kevin Spacey.

Cooper also produces with Rob Carliner, Judy Cairo and T Bone Burnett.