Review of True Grit (2010) by Richard C — 19 Jan 2013

A rare example of a remake that equals, or in some ways betters the original, the Coen Brothers take on the classic John Wayne western is beautifully-shot, well-written and nerve-racking to the point that we can sit back and enjoy what we see, even if we know what is going to happen giving that the film is basically 90% of the original done again.

The acting is also an interesting part of the film, specifically from Hattie Steinfeld as the vengeance-driven Mattie Ross who succeeds in making an already-done before part better and more quietly subdued but ultimately more intense, although Jeff Bridges, as good as he is, does come across at times as just copying Wayne's original performance of Rooster Cogburn instead of doing something new with the character, although as the story develops, it is apparent that Bridges can be forgiven considering the determination which he brings to Cogburn in the second half.

Overall, thanks to the intense direction, enjoyable acting and Oscar-worthy cinematography, True Grit is an impressive western which differs from the original and plays as a stand-alone film which does require more than one viewing for all its enjoyment.