Damn fine movie. Damn fine.
I knew from seeing the trailer that I was going to love this movie. And the trailer was correct. This is one of the most mesmerizing and engrossing movies I have seen this century so far (along with Avatar). That also makes True Grit one of the best remakes ever to be made. Kudos and cheer to Joel and Ethan Coen. Also, I think every actor in this movie, starring, supporting, hell even just the cameos and extras, were incredible. True Grit was nominated for 10 Academy Awards and did not win one. Seriously? I mean, granted I have yet to see The Kings Speech, but I cannot fathom that it is better than this movie.
Jeff Bridges's performance (nominated and lost to Speech's Colin Firth) was literally mind-blowing in John Wayne's role from the 1969 original. For a moment, on the subject of the original, it also was a great movie. However, a huge thanks for the casting of Hailee Steinfeld (nominated) as platinum-tongued Mattie Ross. It really took me several times before I could finish the original one because, and I am sorry to say, Kim Darby was annoying and did not portray tom-boy Mattie Ross as well as Steinfeld has.. She was so much more likable and her voice did not pierce my eardrums. Although, I have always loved the Mattie Ross character and they keep her the same with every detail in this movie. If she were living today, she would definitely be a lawyer, and a damn fine one too. Anyone who can argue like that and know latin, should be in the courtroom. Matt Damon of course, portrays LeBoeuf without a hitch. He was able to transform that boyish exterior into a gruff Texas lawman, which was surprising to me. I always thought he was too cutesie for a western but he also did well in All the Pretty Horses. Josh Brolin as Tom Chaney was definitely one of those small, but very pivotal roles.
Any fan of the original knows the story. Mattie Ross is a fourteen year old girl who, after hearing about the murder of her father, hires drunken U.S. Marshall Rooster Cogburn (Jeff Bridges), who is made of "true grit" as she hears, to find the murderer (Tom Chaney). LeBoeuf is a Texas Ranger who accompanies them on the journey. Lets face it, Bridges and Steinfeld are the reasons to watch this film. Oh, and of course, as with any good western, the scenery. As bad as she needs him in her life to help her find her father's killer, he needs her just the same, even more. You would never think that such a hard nosed bastard would mesh so well with such a little opinionated smart ass.
Thank you and see you at the next blog.
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