The Best Movie of the Year

12/27/10 | Cinnamon Girl

[Cinnamon Girl]

For those who feel it's disloyal to the memory of John Wayne to even watch the new version of "True Grit," please hold your horses. To not give this film a chance on that basis is like not giving Elvis Presley's version of "Bridge Over Troubled Water" a chance because you think it's disloyal to Art Garfunkel. Even Paul Simon said Elvis nailed it. And Jeff Bridges turns in a stunning performance as Rooster Cogburn. Or should I say, a staggering performance. He plays a gruff, seemingly oblivious, functional alcoholic with paternal undertones of regret which will feel familiar to anyone who knows such characters in real life.

I vaguely remember seeing the original "True Grit" on video not so long ago. I was distracted by Kim Darby's trendy boy haircut, which was quite a stretch for the 1880's. As Mattie Ross in the new film, Hailee Steinfeld looks like a fourteen year old from the Old West and believably speaks her sharp dialogue like a homeschooled teen might today-- uninhibited and with a head full of knowledge beyond her years. She holds her own with the U.S. Marshall and the Texas Ranger, played by Matt Damon, and she says clever and biting things you wish you could think to say. But that's good writing.

And this "True Grit" is a package deal. The acting, the writing, and the cinematography are all beautiful. I have a thing for authentic looking westerns. In recent years I thought "The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford" and "3:10 to Yuma" both were visually alluring and captured the eerie, dusty, coldness of the western frontier. Likewise, "True Grit" seeks authenticity with the earthiness of tired horses and homemade clothing, and a paucity of rations in the snowy wilderness. All the characters reflected a kind of innocence and naivety of a world that existed just moments before the telephone and automobile snowballed into the technologically jaded culture of the late 20th century.

There was not a weak performance from anyone, not even Matt Damon, who carries the baggage of being Matt Damon. His baggage worked for him in this role, actually, as a masculine, blustery Texas ranger who, like Rooster, was ultimately decent and chivalrous.

The greatest scene to me, the one with the most emotional impact, was one that most Americans would agree was morally correct, but which would actually spark debate in some circles. It involved the punishing use of a horse and I wish more would not be said about it for the sake of those who haven't seen the film yet, but it exquisitely defines the heart of Jeff Bridges' character.

If Hollywood cared (which they don't) about rewarding filmmakers who make grand films that appeal to theater going audiences, they would give the Best Picture Oscar to "True Grit." As it is, their tendency these days is to figure out who had the most ignored, left-wing screed of the nominees and shower Academy love upon it.

Well, I guess we'll see.

[DollyCali]

The trailers looked pretty good the few times I saw them. I remember when John Wayne collected his Oscar. Said he would have worn a patch on his eye a lot sooner had he known it would get him the big O

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[Tijeras_Slim]

I knew exactly how you meant your comment and would never assume otherwise.

A nice young lady with talent, I hope she avoids the pitfalls of Hollywood and fame.

[Yardstick]

Really good review. I think you’ve persuaded me to go see it.

BTW, the former WaPo movie critic has written a pretty good review over at Powerline:

http://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2010/12/027986.php

[Cinnamon Girl]

I’d see it again.

[Jack Deth]

Hi, Dolly and all!

I've been a big Coen Brothers fan since their Blood Simple and Miller's Crossing days. Was kind of leery when the ads for True Grit started, but considering the cast. More power to them!

I'll probably watch it on rental or when it comes to HBO.


Jack.

[mylife]

We just got back from the film.
It was pretty good. Even my Son liked it.

[A CA Guy]

Saw half of it Christmas (then had to go back to the Aunt watching our crying 2 year old).
Was so good we went again yesterday, saw the beginning half again and the rest to the conclusion.
I told my wife that was a Best Picture contender.

The only negative was that the woman who played the girl as an adult looked nothing like the girl. The girl in the picture had big full lips and the adult actor had thin lips.

That aside, was a POWERFUL film, like an adult remake of the original IMO.
Loved John Wayne’s version, but this was deeper and better as a picture IMO.

[Ozarkie]

I just got back, also. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I would recommend to anyone who has or has not seen it. Pretty true to the book but then so was the original except for the ending.Lots of good one liners by Cogburn. (”Ground’s too hard. If they wanted a decent burial, they should have got themselves killed in the summer”)

[Borges]

Black Swan was lurid camp with a handful of effective scare scenes. What the material needed was Roman Polanski in his prime.

[Mr. K]

Who could have the nerve to try to play the part John Wayne played and think he could do better?

[trisham]

Thanks for the review. It sounds great!

[trisham]

Thanks for the ping!

[trisham]

I knew exactly how you meant your comment and would never assume otherwise.

A nice young lady with talent, I hope she avoids the pitfalls of Hollywood and fame.

****************************

Agreed.

[tubebender]

FReeper reviews of the new True Grit...

[tubebender]

The only negative was that the woman who played the girl as an adult looked nothing like the girl.

I doubt that Speilberg had much of a pool of one armed actresses to pick from... (just kidding) I was a little disappointed in the grown Mattie also...

[tubebender]

This could be the next Thriller hit movie, coming out in March...

[devere]

In my opinion John Wayne was a very fine actor, but his status as a conservative icon is regrettable. In real life he was a flawed man.

His personal life doesn’t measure up to that of either Liberal Jeff Bridges or Jeff’s left-wing parents, Lloyd and Dorothy Bridges. I don’t want to go into details. Do your own research.

John Wayne avoided military service during WW2 in order to further his film career. Liberal Henry Fonda, the father of Hanoi Jane, enlisted in the US Navy saying, “I don’t want to be in a fake war in a studio.” He served as quartermaster on a destroyer that saw action on D-Day. Conservative James Stewart was of course a great war hero and a great man. Ironically John Wayne’s career didn’t accelerate until his mentor, director John Ford, had returned from military service, and Wayne got second billing to Commander Robert Montgomery, USNR, in “They Were Expendable” (1945).

One thing John Wayne really was was a very serious and professional actor. And I’m confident that his reaction to “True Grit” (2010) would be to smile and say “Well done!”.

[Cinnamon Girl]

I saw that preview. The most striking thing to me was the use of Mumford and Sons’ music. Link is on my homepage.

[DollyCali]

Hi there General! (and everyone else)

I love Patton & those type of movies also but did like Black Swan despite the fact it was difficult to watch

I think it is helpful to have had some dance in your background & particularly high level ballet in a major company --- to REALLY understand it. I had some affiliation with NYBC & the precursor to the Cleveland Ballet & my first major roll was that of the black swan. this movie is not way out in left field. One can often relate to it w/o dance in your life. Driven achievers are the same in any field

Rotten Tomatoes HERE and IMDb HERE both give high ratings. Rotten is by the reviewers & IMDb is the general viewing population.

I guess bottom line is that not every movie is for every person but that doesn't make it bad if one finds it not to their liking. I disliked the movie Leaving Las Vegas. It won Oscar for best pix that year. It was just hard to watch & I didn't enjoy it but that does not mean all others will experience it the same way.

I am visiting in Oklahoma city for a few weeks & tomorrow night will be seeing Tron at the Warren theater, for those who know about it (food, drinks, tables, service).

Did like the Tourist & most of the recent releases...even Tangled. Saw it myself & then when I got to NC took my 7 year old grandson to see it 3D.

[JoeProBono]

Couldn’t get through more than 15 minutes of Leaving Las Vegas.