Review of True Grit (2010) by Jamie B — 29 Jul 2012

I'm not sure why I continue to look forward to Coen Brothers movies, but for some reason I find myself drawn to this one. I think it's the idea of it. I mean, Jeff Bridges IN a Western WITH an eye patch PLAYING a role that was originally handled by the man, the legend, John MOTHERFUCKIN Wayne! That was his middle name, wasn't it? I, myself, am not really into Westerns, but I've been led to believe he's a legend by all the people who are.

Anyway... I can't wait to see The Dude, Duder, or El Duderino if you're not into that whole brevity thing, surmount that many obstacles in one movie. If anyone can do it, he can, so I'm confident, but I can't help but wonder if he'll drink White Russians at the local saloon?Well.

.. I saw this yesterday and I remember why I continue to look forward to Coen Brothers movies. As far as I'm concerned, they've now officially redeemed themselves. It's about damn time! I don't know what their excuse was.

They weren't even married to Madonna or anything. Yet another well-crafted Coen world full of bizarre and interesting Coen characters. No, they didn't make all this up themselves, but they certainly made it their own.

It kind of reminded me of Fargo in that it's not a comedy but it's still full of funny moments. It also brought Gran Torino to mind for the same reason. Bridges is absolute perfection in this role.

About a third of the time I couldn't understand what he was saying, but I loved every minute of it. If this is what comes of it, he should work with the Coen Brothers more often. Bridges IS Rooster Cogburn! Matt Damon, although he was perfectly acceptable, was not nearly as successful.

Every time I saw him in the trailers all I could see was the actor Matt Damon with a bunch of extra hair glued on his face. He never looked like he belonged in that time period and it made me wonder how he made it into this movie.

But the dynamic between the three oddball musketeers, Bridges, Damon, and Steinfeld, worked so well that I never noticed it in the movie. I would hope John Wayne would have been flattered by this effort at revisiting one of his many classics.