Review of True Grit (2010) by Mikeab — 30 Dec 2010
One of my favorite Cohen Bros. efforts, and I've seen them all. This is my favorite film of the year, other than perhaps "Toy Story 3". Everyone involved here has risen to the challenge. Having just viewed the original John Wayne version, this one is far superior in almost every way, starting with the sharp, witty script, which often prompts the viewer to ponder over the sometimes antiquated, but always revealing turns-of-phrases.
Perhaps this is why some viewers have suggested the film is too talky and slow. In fact, much of the film's action takes place in the dialogue between the characters, rather than merely in the form of physical action.
The performances, as noted by all the reviews, are uniformly memorable, but Jeff Bridges is truly great here. The cinematography is beautiful in a stark and haunting way, and the score, by the Cohen Bros.
consistent collaborator Carter Burwell, is stirring. The characters here, unlike most westerns, have shades of gray, and all but the most vile of them retain a sense of humanity. This is probably the most emotionally effecting, and also one of the wittiest westerns I've ever seen.
This review of True Grit (2010) was written by Mikeab on 30 Dec 2010.
True Grit has generally received very positive reviews.
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