MOVIE OF THE WEEK: TRUE GRIT
Credit: Lorey Sebastian. © 2010 Paramount Pictures. All Rights Reserved.
KEY CAST MEMBERS: Jeff Bridges, Matt Damon, Josh Brolin, Barry Pepper and Hailee Steinfeld.
WRITER: Joel and Ethan Coen
DIRECTOR: Joel and Ethan Coen (screenplay); Charles Portis (novel)
WEB SITE: TrueGritMovie.com
THE PLOT: Intended as a more faithful take on Charles Portis' 1968 novel than the 1969 film starring John Wayne (for which "The Duke" won his only Academy Award), the Joel and Ethan Coen version of True Grit stars Hailee Steinfeld in the role of Mattie Ross. Told from her perspective, Mattie quickly explains that she is seeking a man to take down the multi-aliased Tom Chaney (Josh Brolin). Chaney, a member of a gang led by "Lucky" Ned Pepper (Barry Pepper), is the man responsible for senselessly murdering Mattie's father. And Mattie, a headstrong 14 year-old girl from Arkansas, wants revenge - and is determined to get it if she has to track Chaney down herself.
To assist her on her task, though, Mattie seeks out Reuben "Rooster" Cogburn (Jeff Bridges), a one-eyed U.S. Marshal known for his high body counts ... And love of whiskey. Also assisting the unlikely duo is the presence of La Boeuf (Matt Damon), a Texas Ranger also hot on Chaney's tail for his role in the murder of a state senator.
Bringing Chaney down, however, will require ... Cue movie title!
THE TAKE: There are a couple things you usually should come to expect from a Coen Brothers movie: Stellar performances, solid camera work and a tightly told story. True Grit is just the latest example of this fact.
First and foremost - and despite the fact she didn't get top billing and deserved it, Hailee Steinfeld - is the most important actor in this film. Steinfeld is the emotional center of True Grit and does a stellar job from start to finish and should be - dare I say it - the first young actress in a long time to not only be nominated for an Academy Award, but potentially win it. Her performance is key; she brings her duality of being a child but a determined one who fully understands her situation and demands (both the characters around her and your) respect.
This is not to suggest Bridges - who stays in character without become a caricature of one much better here than he does in his other new film opening this week, TRON: Legacy - doesn't do a great job as Cogburn. Bridges seems to be very comfortable transitioning into Hollywood's next great older male actor; the 1-liners, verbal flair and steadfast nature he present bring Cogburn to life in grand fashion. Also offering great support is the always solid Damon (hey, he made Stuck on You watchable!) as La Beouf, providing a balance between the two headstrong leads as a balance of both (Cogburn in egocentric determination, Mattie in vulnerability and naivety).
If I have one complaint with the film - and I do! - it's that the actress (Elizabeth Marvel) that plays Mattie as a grown woman at the end of the film comes off as a bit of a cold witch. Whereas Steinfeld gives Mattie a flair of confidence, exuberance and confidence that requires and receives your respect, the adult version of Mattie comes off as a humorless, abrupt woman who revels in being alone as it seems no one is worthy of her as opposed to because she is strong enough to stand on her own. (See the movie and I am certain this observation will likely make more sense than without doing so.)
While I am certain Mattie would be a strong independent person, there is a big difference in being Liliane Bettencourt or Billie Jean King and Leona Helmsley. And since I give the Coen brothers a lot of credit for the film's overall success, they must share in the blame for this misstep.
PARTING SHOT: One mishap of casting and tone aside, the Coen brothers latest work proves their mettle to make films - be they original creations of their own or remakes - is filled with True Grit.
RATING (OUT OF FOUR POSSIBLE BUCKETS OF POPCORN):
Very astute commentary. I was just glad Maddie continued on with life. I accepted the portrayal, for we were not privileged to know what made her as she was. We only saw her as an adolescent. Maybe that's another movie!
ReplyDeleteTRUE GRIT is one of the best westerns ever made. It feels more authentic than Unforgiven and Jeff Bridges hasn't just switched bad eyes with Duke; he's created a new hero. Kind of reminded me of Kid Shaleen from Cat Ballou. The Coen Bros have chosen to focus the film on the girl much more than the JW one did and Hailee Steinfeld has given the greatest feature film debut performance ever. There's one scene where she reminded me of Elizabeth Taylor in National Velvet. She is remarkable. Also the language is most interesting; listen to the way people used to talk.