By If you’re a fan of westerns than you’ve probably already seen the original True Grit. In fact, you may think it sacrilege that they have even made a remake. After all, True Grit was one of John Wayne’s greatest performances and the conclusion to the film, with Wayne’s character Rooster Cogburn, pulling both pistols out on horseback and charging at four armed men is iconic to say the least. Who in the hell would even have the balls to take remake this movie and who in the hell would have the ability to take on the role?
The answer is the Coen brothers and Jeff Bridges, and even if this wasn’t the answer I’d want it to be. Not only have the Coens proven that they can handle a western style film (No Country for Old Men), but Jeff Bridges might be one of the few actors that could take Rooster Cogburn and turn him into something wholly original. Did it all work, is the question.
If you’re a fan of westerns than you’ve probably already seen the original True Grit. In fact, you may think it sacrilege that they have even made a remake. After all, True Grit was one of John Wayne’s greatest performances and the conclusion to the film, with Wayne’s character Rooster Cogburn, pulling both pistols out on horseback and charging at four armed men is iconic to say the least. Who in the hell would even have the balls to take remake this movie and who in the hell would have the ability to take on the role?
The answer is the Coen brothers and Jeff Bridges, and even if this wasn’t the answer I’d want it to be. Not only have the Coens proven that they can handle a western style film (No Country for Old Men), but Jeff Bridges might be one of the few actors that could take Rooster Cogburn and turn him into something wholly original. Did it all work, is the question.{{page_break}}
If you missed seeing the original, well, then you should go see it because it’s fantastic. However, it isn’t that important as the plot is wholly inclusive. Mattie Ross’s (Hailee Steinfeld) father is killed by Tom Chaney (Josh Brolin). Fearing that Chaney will escape justice she heads into town to not only tie together her father’s affairs, but also to hire a U.S. Marshall to track down Chaney. That Marshall is Rooster Cogburn (Jeff Bridges), and after a verbal tongue lashing from the quick witted Mattie he agrees to help hunt down Chaney, but tagging along is a Texas Ranger, LaBoeuf (Matt Damon). It’s a classic western tale of lawmen chasing bad guys with the brilliant twist of having no twist at all. This is western through and through.
There is plenty to rave about with this movie. Not only have the Coens constructed a down-to-earth western that still somehow exudes the grandeur and wonder of the genre in its heyday, but they’ve also put together a screenplay that never stops. There’s not a second of wasted time in this film. That’s not to say it’s rushed, it’s just to say that every moment is crammed full of interesting dialog. Whether it’s Cogburn rambling on in his gravelly voice or Mattie sharp tongued barbs or LaBoeuf espousing the supremacy of the Texas Rangers, it’s all fantastic. There’s an incredible sharpness to the screenplay that belies the simple plot of good guys chasing bad guys.
Furthermore, the screenplay is more than adeptly handled by one of the greatest ensemble casts of the year. Damon, Steinfeld, Brolin and Bridges work together fantastically, and we already know how well half the cast work with the Coens, but the rest of them step up perfectly. Still, it is Bridges who steals the show as he delivers a cowboy with more depth than almost every ten gallon hat-wearing pretty boy that ever graced the silver screen. Of course we expect this from Bridges, but it should be applauded that the young Ross keeps perfect pace with him and Damon. There are definitely scenes where she steals the show.
It’s the overall package, however, that truly impresses. This is a western like the classics. The Coens’ grasp on the grandeur and myth of the West is impressive. If you’ve ever wondered how to make a western all you have to do is turn into this movie. The movie not only plays on our ideals of heroes, but never gets too smart for itself. The modern western has always been tricky, but True Grit avoids the errors of the scant few we get these days by playing as a perfect classic – this is also exactly what it ends up being.
8.90 – Spectacular. (Movies that score between 8.50 and 9.00 are some of the best films its genre has ever created, and fans of any genre will thoroughly enjoy them.)
True Grit is easily one of the best westerns made since the time the genre was in its prime. Packed with a fantastic script, great actor and sublimely simple directing there's no reason to miss this film.
