Posted on 12/27/2010 11:55:37 AM PST by 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.
Yes, “True Grit” (2010) is a great film.
It’s possibly the best western I’ve ever seen, and I’ve seen a large number.
True Grit is one of my all time favorite movies and book. I have decided to give this version a look only because I saw the trailer and thought at once that Bridges fit that role perfectly. Not crazy about Damon but I think this will be worth giving a chance.
“Not crazy about Damon”
He is superb in this film.
If he’s half as good as Bridges appears to be, from what little I’ve seen, the entire movie will also be superb.
The new Mattie Ross looks like the picture on the cover of the novel. The “B” westerns in the 1950’s always had the characters made up and cioffured totally out of period, and syntax is even more commonly conteporary than authentic. The novel sounded like the period, with such gems as “paying attnetion to a lewd woman”.
The Social Network was a surprising film of the year for me. I believe it was because I was not expecting it to be that good and it was phenomenal. I did not see this True Grit movie...perhaps next week. There are a few that I need to catch up on since Thanksgiving. Oh I forgot The Town is actually my film of the year. That was one heck of a great film. I better go before I remember another one. :)
The insiders I know say “The King’s Speech” is a lock to win Best Picture.
“Not crazy about Damon”
I wouldn’t dream of paying to see it in a theater because of him (I’m like that) but will look for it when it is free. Thanks for the critique.
Cue the Twilight zone... we will be leaving in 10 minutes with our grandson (22) to see this at the Broadway Cinema and we haven’t been to a movie in several years...
My uncle, whom the Hollywood insiders call the King of Insiders, disagrees. Told me so after the midnight mass last Friday.
You are in for an awesome experience.
I saw the original on TCM over the Christmas holiday and Kim Darby uses the vernacular as you describe but was overshadowed by the Duke. I believe in the new Coen version the young lady dominates. Looking forward to seeing this with the missus.
I’m interested in the King’s Speech but it I think True Grit is better cinema in terms of big screen entertainment.
Nothing wrong with the new one - go and see it. Especially if you've never seen the original. But I think The Duke did it better...
And now for the worst movie of the year: Black Swan
DON’T GO NEAR IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My wife dragged me to it, I like movies like Patton and The Godfather.
I’ll take “The Searchers” or my “Darling Clemetine”.
Cinematography goes to “Shane”
This is a great film. I was captivated by all the characters. Bridges is really good.
My problem with modern westerns are they go to great length
to degrade the West. The men are extremely dirty, corrupt
and slovenly. The real West was not that unruly.
I despise most song covers and movie remakes, but I’m always willing to give them a try. Sometimes I am pleasantly surprised. If Bauhaus can blow away Bowie’s Ziggy, if DeNiro can do a better Max Cady than Mitchum, then it’s possible that this True Grit can be better than the original.
Of course, as far as remakes go, several excellent films are essentially remakes of Akira Kurosawa’s films (Magnificent Seven, Fistful of Dollars, etc.).
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