Pay no attention to the meme, simply relax and enjoy. The subconscious political associations will be activated soon, without any need for your participation. LOL!
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.
The 2010 True Grit is not technically a remake of the 1969 True Grit. Instead, they are two movies which are based on the same novel.
I agree with you. The Outlaw Josey Wales is my favorite western of all time and is an exellent depiction of life in Missouri during the Civil war. Of course I am partial to Rebels. Hell, we need more of them right now!
Pay no attention to the meme, simply relax and enjoy. The subconscious political associations will be activated soon, without any need for your participation. LOL!
“She’s also 14 years old. Prolly best to keep your partiality under control.”
Get your mind out of the the gutter, pig.
You can think a girl is pretty without it being sexual.
In particular, I think she looks like my daughter — who is also a nice Jewish girl.
We’ll see which version stands the test of time.
Wow. You’re quite an asshole.
If they ever plow my street, I might try to catch it. It’s been years since I saw the original one.
I have not seen the movie yet, but, as much as I always liked John Wayne in certain ways, I have always thought that Jeff Bridges has been more able than Wayne at CREATING a whole persona outside of some film standard persona most often identified with him. So, I fully expect he will give me a “complete” Mr. Cogburn all his own. I plan to see it in 2011 while it is still in the theaters.
Yeah, I tend to be hostile to putzes who wrongfully accuse me of pedophilia. Shocking, that.
“Hailee Steinfeld -— pretty, but she is a nice Jewish girl, so I am partial.”
She’s got a Jewish name, but I don’t know that she’s Jewish.
Reportedly her father is Jewish and her mother is 1/2 Filipina and the other half kitchen-sink mixture.
We DON’T call people names on this forum, now both of you please knock it off.
I don’t support Hollywood liberals anymore.
The Magnificent Seven” is on now. Another pretty decent Western in it’s own right.
I’m not rushing out to see this movie.... But very well written review
I’ll stand with the original too. I may get around to seeing the remake, but I don’t know why. I haven’t seen anything by the Coen brothers worth 7 bucks, or is it 10 already? No Country For Old Men was like watching outtakes. It had no continuity, no flow, and in the end, no sense about it. Fargo.....it was OK, but it left me instantly thinking of the stupid accents......my Family is from Nor Dakota, and people don’t really talk like that. The movie with Bridges about the “Dude” was again OK. So, for me the Coen Brothers are OK. I don’t go to the movies for OK.
Why? I already know how it ends........
I'm still waiting for the remake of "Gone With the Wind" called "Gone With the Wind: the Next Generation" and "Sound of Music" called "Sonrisas y lágrimas", the story of the Von Hernandez family's flight to freedom in the U.S. from Mexico.
The story chronicles their hardships with unsavory coyotes and Mexican border patrols until finally they are able catch a bus in Nogales and travel into Arizona. Ultimately they establish a Mexican restaurant in South Central LA and live happily ever after tending to their restaurant and playing in their mariachi band.................
not just coiffored. many of the actors looked like they just came off the set from a Pepsodent commercial
Matt Damon’s main baggage is his anti-Americanism not his poor acting ability. Unless he has repudiated Howard Zinn, I won’t be paying money to boost Matt Damon’s movie career. I despise the little leftist cretin punk. If I see True Grit, I’ll purchase a ticket for some other movie showing at the same time at the multi-plex, but go see True Grit instead.
she is cute
Kim Darby was a 21 year old playing a precocious 14 year old. Unfortunately she came across as a 21 year old.
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