Steve Reviews True Grit

When the Coen brothers set out to make a film, there is usually an aura of wackiness surrounding the subject matter. Their films tend to tell extravagant tales about extravagant people, often told with a subtle juxtaposition of normality. The tale of young Mattie Ross hiring federal marshal Rooster Cogburn to avenge her father’s murder is not that extravagant. In fact, it’s not even original. This tale was told over 40 years ago with the incomparable John Wayne in the lead (and Oscar winning) role of Cogburn. The Coens, however, do offer a fresh take on this old classic. It’s a take that I find myself liking better than the original in a lot of ways but falling short in others.

By 1969, John Wayne had starred in over 15 westerns alone, and his Rooster Cogburn was, for all intents and purposes, a lifetime achievement award. It was neither his best role nor his greatest performance to date. He did, however, have a little more “John Wayne” in him than normal. His character was chosen because he had “true grit,” but I believe that Jeff Bridges brought actual grit to the role. Bridges was far more believable as a rugged cowboy than Wayne ever was. 1950’s and 60’s westerns tend to be very glossy and neat – probably portraying no one as gritty and evil as they actually were in the old west. That is what Bridges brings to the table. He is dirty and tough, and that’s the kind of guy I want on my side.

Matt Damon’s version of LaBoeuf (read “la beef”) is unfortunately not nearly as good as Glen Campbell’s 1969 performance. I really had a hard time buying Damon as a tough Texas ranger. All I ever saw was Matt Damon with a mustache and a pistol, and that tended to take me out of the film world.

Make no mistakes. The true star of this film is 13 year old Hailee Steinfeld. Her presence on screen is bigger than life, and you are captivated by her every move. I cannot argue that the dialogue she is given is the reason for her success, because it’s fairly identical to that of the ’69 film. Kim Darby was in her early 20’s then, and although played a believable Mattie Ross, I think Steinfeld captured what this role was all about. The Ross character is too big for her britches, but she backs up every fiery word. There’s such a difference in hearing that conviction from a younger child that I feel Steinfeld is absolutely deserving of all nomination garnered thus far and that “big one” that I feel is yet to come.

The real question, though, is why? Why would the Coen’s, who obviously have the talent and know-how to create fabulous tales, choose to remake a 40 year old film? I HATE remakes, and I’m pretty upset that folks of their caliber didn’t just create a brand new tale of western woe. It’s a shame that younger fans need to be reminded that there was a time when “The Duke” was the king. All in all, True Grit is a great piece of film-making. I liked it a lot, and I expect to see it in the list of 10 come Jan 25th.

-Steve
1.12.2011