Review of True Grit (2010) by Steviegjd — 04 Jan 2011

This retelling is darker and deeper than the 1969 John Wayne version. Both films are adapted from the same novel, and have basically the same general plot. But the new Cohen brothers film is, for me, a far more interesting film.

The three main actors (Bridges, Damon and Steinfeld) are well cast and do a great job. The cinematography is wonderful, as are all the technical elements. The limitations of this film are the limitations of the source material - the story is what it is.

This is a "hunt down the bad guy western," a genre which has great potential for excitement and character development (this film has both), but also usually great potential for an ending that is unfullfilling (which this film also has).

This is a good movie, but not in the category of "Unforgiven," for example.