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.