Review of True Grit (2010) by Grant S — 06 Mar 2014

Superb Coen brothers remake of the 1969 John Wayne movie. The original wasn't bad - I rated it 7/10 - but it was a typical John Wayne movie - good action, but one-dimensional characters and plot.

The Coen brothers don't do one-dimensional characters or plot. From the opening scene you already know this is going to be better than the original. Characters have depth, cinematography is lush and beautiful and there is a great "feel" - a humanity, emotion and sensitivity - that is a Coen Brothers trademark. In addition there is some very sharp humour - mostly wordplay, but some physical - which makes the 2010 True Grit even more entertaining.

The performances are outstanding. Jeff Bridges plays his trademark role - the down-and-out, disheveled has-been - and does it extremely well. He deserved his Best Actor Oscar for Crazy Heart, and here he outshines even that performance. Will be interesting to see if he gets the Best Actor Oscar.

Matt Damon is good in his role. Here is a bit out of his element, as he is usually the lead actor, and plays the hero. Here he is a hero, of sorts, but he is also the butt of many jokes, especially through wordplay battles.

Josh Brolin has very little screentime, but is solid as the lead villain.

The standout performance, however, must go to Hailee Steinfeld, as Mattie Ross. At only 13 she displays maturity beyond her years, delivering her lines with the timing and naturalness of a veteran. She probably has the most lines in the movie, and has the most diffifcult lines - most of the wordlplay jokes are hers, and her haggling scenes are worth the price of admission alone. Kim Darby played Mattie Ross in the original True Grit, and was 22 at the time. She ended up having a long (though not very illustrious - True Grit was probably the pinnacle) career. Based on True Grit, Hailee Steinfeld is destined for greatness.