Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Movie Review: True Grit


True Grit is the latest Coen Brothers film. What else needs to be said? Go see it. Ha, I could have easily just ended my review right there but I'll provide a little more info for kicks I suppose. This isn't a remake of John Wayne's 1969 film, no this is the Coen's adaptation of Charles Portis' novel True Grit. I've never seen the 1st version, but the Coen's take is being heralded as more true to the novel and all around....grittier (ziiiiing).

awkward posse
As usual, the Coen's directing is masterful. The cinematography and wide shots are gorgeous and really make the harsh western/frontier environment seem almost pleasant. Jeff Bridges is great as the disheveled (drunk) Rooster Cogburn, although he requires subtitles in some parts of the film, but the breakout star of True Grit is newcomer Hailee Steinfeld who plays the film's protagonist Mattie Ross. I'm always amazed when child actors like her, and that little dude from There Will Be Blood, can hold their own against veteran actors like Jeff Bridges (or Daniel Day Lewis in the other case) when it's their first time making a movie! Matt Damon is kind of annoying at first but eventually his character becomes the strange comic relief that you can't help but root for.

Top notch performances, superb directing. Suspense up the ass (well for those who haven't seen the original or read the book), what more can you ask for? My only complaint is that the film was too short. Before I knew it the damn thing was over. I guess time flies when you're having fun right? Oh yeah, and Josh Brolin, but Barry Pepper especially, has the whole down and dirty outlaw cowboy thing down pat. I'm glad I'm not the only one who picked up on the irony going on in the film's climax between Matt Damon and Barry Pepper. Entertainment Weekly.com writes:
Those who recall that initial meeting (Damon was trying to hold a French bridge against some tanks while Pepper was picking off Nazis with his rifle from the temporary shelter of a church tower) might appreciate the irony of their final violent confrontation in True Grit.
Good job Entertainment Weekly. For once.

25 comments:

  1. i love everything the coen brothers do

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  2. Some Cohen fans I know said they didn't like the movie at all, but they had also really liked the original movie a lot. I thought it was great, but people who are just looking for a recover of the original might be disappointed.

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  3. Loved the original, looking forward to this, good review.

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  4. Might actually see it, the trailer had me worried I might be distracted by Lebowski images.

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  5. Saw this in theatres, and I love it!

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  6. damn man...everything happens for a reason. How weird that I have been undecided about whether or not to see this movie and then I stumble into your post. Good stuff man, Ill definitely see it. Hopefully it's as good as O brother where art though, and the big lebowski.

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  7. I'm going to watch this one when it comes out in dvd! It looks like a true alpha male film :D

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  8. I loved the original but waiting on the dvd

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  9. Looks good, will check it out when it's playing here (mainly for Matt Damon)! Thanks for following my blog, nice blog you have here yourself, Following :D

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  10. I like the original interested to see what this one is like.

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  11. I had vaguely heard about this movie but knew nothing about it...and now I missed out an a Jeff Bridges movie? I've got some watching to do.

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  12. Great movie! I can't wait for this to come out on DVD.

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  13. I've loved every Coen movie from Hudsucker Proxy, to Barton Fink, to Big Lebowski, to True Grit... and everything in between!! Great review!

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  14. Do want, i've been trying to see this for a while, but have been too busy. Maybe..this weekend.
    Good review though!

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  15. jeff bridges is the man. i probably won't see it in theatres though, because i'm a cheap bastard hehe

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  16. idk about this one, reminds me of Gun though... maybe

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  17. Great movie better than the original which is saying alot

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  18. never saw the original, but liked this version. though i wish the last scene had been excluded. the mood abruptly shifts from triumph to sadness.

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  19. I'll look forward to that. The oldie was a goodie.

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  20. Mattttttttt Daaayyyyyyymmmonnnnn

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  21. Looks like it will be another expensive trip to the cinema to see this. Nice review dude it is appreciated

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  22. Well def have to watch this one.

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