True Grit

[The Annoyed Man]

I went and saw True Grit this morning. As much as I get a kick out of the Duke, his Rooster Cogburn can't shake a stick at Jeff Bridges' rendition. Matt Damon plays Texas Ranger Tom La Boeuf. At first his character seems pompous and a little bit seedy, but as the film progresses, we come to appreciate that, under the flamboyant self-promotion, this is an honest and courageous man, not to be trifled with. The big surprise is little known Hailee Steinfeld as Mattie Ross. Instead of a less than believable 20 year old playing a 14 year old girl, as in the previous film, Hailee Steinfeld IS 14 years old, and so her portrayal of the headstrong and brave young Ross is startling. She has a big career ahead of her. There is a surprise performance from Barry Pepper, whom you may have trouble recognizing at first, and Josh Brolin excels as the barely human coward, Tom Chaney. The firearms portrayals were pretty accurate. Also, this version of the movie is faithful to the original book by Charles Portis, which the older movie was not.

Beautifully shot and very well acted, it should get an oscar for screenplay alone, but I would not be surprised if this film gets several nominations. The dialog is in the much more formal and stilted tones and words of the 19th century, but that is how people actually spoke back then, so it lends a realism to the film which the original movie lacks. I actually prefer it when people spoke like that. It was far more descriptive, and far more precise. Half of our problems today stem from poor communication, exacerbated by the common use of words with ambivalent meaning.

The Cohen Brothers' movies tend to be polarizing. You either hate them or love them. I'm ambivalent. I really liked No Country for Old Men, Oh Brother Where Art Thou, and a few of their other earlier efforts, but I just couldn't make myself sit through The Big Lubowski all the way, even after several attempts. But I think that True Grit just may be their very best effort yet, and it stands as one of my favorite movies. I highly recommend seeing it.

It is rated PG13, probably for violence, although it really isn't that violent. It's not even that bloody. It has little or no profanity, no "F Bombs," no nudity, no sex, and none of the other things that make one cringe and wonder how a movie that should have been rated R got itself a PG13 rating. This movie comes by its PG13 rating honestly.

[pbwalker]

Great movie taped right here in TX (not far from G'Town IIRC)!

As for the Coen Brothers, they will never make a movie as good as Fargo! :) But this is a great movie nonetheless.

[Oldgringo]

Following the hype on this forum, we re-watched the original TRUE GRIT that we originally enjoyed some 40 years ago in a kinder more gentle time. It was pure 'cornpone' compared to today's movies. There was outstanding, if mislocated, scenery in the original movie.

Thanks for the review. we're looking forward to the new release being available on NetFlix.

[4copas]

I went and saw True Grit this morning. As much as I get a kick out of the Duke, his Rooster Cogburn can't shake a stick at Jeff Bridges' rendition.

Hey I resemble that remark. Good review TAM. I sure wish new westerns (good ones) would come out more often these days.

[NavyGunner]

Took the father inlaw to see that yesterday, we both enjoyed it but he liked the original better, not surprised as his man room is wall to wall John Wayne! Nice review there TAM.

[PUCKER]

Great minds think alike TAM! My father suggested this movie yesterday and we (parents, wife and I) watched it last night. I concur with your excellent review. A very enjoyable film. I should mention that it's been a few years since I've been to the theater and it was quite enjoyable (Tinseltown Grapevine).

[ninemm]

If it's got Matt Damon in it, it won't get a penny from me.

[The Annoyed Man]

If it's got Matt Damon in it, it won't get a penny from me.

To each his own. If I let Hollywood's political views decide whether or not I ever went to see a movie, I'd never go see movies. Damon's a pinhead, but so is Jeff Bridges, whom I've met by the way, and so is probably most of the rest of the cast. Oh well. And Damon's part is not even the main character.

Unless the movie's subject is a repudiation of all I hold dear, I'm not going to let an individual actor's misguided notions about life and politics keep me from seeing it - anymore than I am going to take their political advice or follow their cultural standards (of which they mostly are lacking).

It is still a great movie, and there is nothing wrong with the story.

[The Annoyed Man]

Great minds think alike TAM! My father suggested this movie yesterday and we (parents, wife and I) watched it last night. I concur with your excellent review. A very enjoyable film. I should mention that it's been a few years since I've been to the theater and it was quite enjoyable (Tinseltown Grapevine).

That's where I saw it!

[Dragonfighter]

Thanks TAM. I have been vacillating as to whether to see it with only one review in that wasn't too favorable (had not seen the original BTW). It is such an iconic performance I did not know how it would come off. I know you and I share similar tastes and I like the Coen Brothers' work...typically. Yours was a solid, "...this is WHY I liked it..." review. I believe we will see it.

[cougartex]

I enjoyed the movie.

[Skiprr]

If I let Hollywood's political views decide whether or not I ever went to see a movie, I'd never go see movies. Damon's a pinhead, but so is Jeff Bridges...

All in all, the best movie review I've read in years.

You need to be syndicated.

The "pinhead" comments were just icing. I'll be seeing True Grit on TAM's recommendation.

[DONT TREAD ON ME]

I have been wanting to see this since I saw the preview. I sure hope it gets to Korea soon. Thanks for the great review TAM.

I agree with 4copas. I wish more good westerns would come out. I really enjoyed Open Range.

[OldCannon]

If it's got Matt Damon in it, it won't get a penny from me.

If you are that way because of the actor's political views, I'm guessing you pretty much don't watch any movies at all, considering that entire industry pretty much bankrolls the far left (well, them and George Soros).

I long since gave up on thinking about the issue, otherwise I'd go into apoplectic fits every time I walked into a movie theater.

Besides, I always try to find something nice about a person. In Matt Damon's case, he and Ben Affleck shows some serious mojo in making "Good Will Hunting" happen. It was a great movie, IMHO. Better still, Matt is a champion for one of my favorite topics: Getting companies to stop filling my mailbox with junk mail

As for me, I'm taking my sweetie to see True Grit this morning, and very much looking forward to it!

[Abraham]

I look forward to seeing the new one.

I thought the original was THE worst John Wayne movie ever!