Remakes are big business in Hollywood. A good majority of the “new” movies made these days are either remakes or sequels, and a good majority don’t live up to the greatness of the original. So a remake could also be risky; unless you name is Joel or Ethan Coen.
The Coen Brothers have made a name for themselves by delivering top quality work that is funny, dark, quirky, and filled with colourful characters and rich dialogue. True Grit, a novel written by Charles Portis in 1968, features themes, characters and dialogue which seems tailored to a Coen Bros adaptation. In 1969, the novel was made into a film starring John Wayne so, The Coens’ True Grit is technically a remake, however the films are really only similar in that they share source material.
True Grit is the story of Mattie Ross, a strong-willed 13 year old, hell bent on revenge; Tom Chaney killed her father and took off with his money and horses. Mattie seeks to hire Rueben “Rooster” Cogburn - a one-eyed, whiskey-swilling, quick-triggered US Marshall – to bring Chaney to justice (dead or alive). A Texas Ranger, named Leboeuf, is also on Chaney’s trail for the shooting of a Texas Senator and his dog; LeBoeuf seeks to collect the reward money associated with the outlaw.
The two film adaptations share the same basic story, and there is certainly some shared dialogue. The events are the same, with some slight alterations in the updated version (The Coen’s opted to stick a little closer to the original novel than the ’69 film). What the Coen Bros have done here is bring these characters and their world to life in a way that the original just couldn’t do, which is not only a credit to the filmmakers, but to the actors they’ve cast.
John Wayne won an Oscar playing Rooster Cogburn, but the character was overshadowed by the fact that he was John Wayne. The 2010 Rooster is a gruff drunk who speaks in a gargled mumble; Jeff Bridges totally embodies this character which you both despise and love all at once. Meanwhile, Matt Damon plays a better Laboeuf than Glen Campbell could have ever dreamed of playing. Campbell delivered a stilted, hammy performance of the law-man who talks a big game – and a bit too much – but Damon is much more subtle and plays LaBoeuf as a smarmy, cock-sure chatterbox that just may wel be in over his head.
As good as Bridges and Damon are though, the real standout is Hailee Steinfeld, who delivers an engaging, confident performance as Mattie. This is Mattie’s story, after all, so the film needs to rest on her shoulders and Hailee plays Mattie as mature for her age, but still with the glimmer and wonder of a child. For her first film, she really holds her own opposite the impressive talent this film has to offer; the fact she was only 13 when True Grit was filmed (Kim Darby, who played Mattie in the original was 20) just makes it all the more impressive.
The backdrops and scenery of the film are beautifully shot and add to the film’s late 1800’s setting. True Grit is a true Western as only the Coen Bros could do it: a story of revenge and redemption with colourful characters and dark humour; staying true to the original novel’s ending in the process. While it’s not quite as quirky, or even as bleak as one might expect from one of their films, True Grit is a nice addition to the Coen Bros catalogue of greatness and is one of the best films of the past year.
It's certainly the best remake I've seen.
4.5 Dented Bumpers*
*Crash’s Film Rating Legend:
5 DB’s -- Freaking Fantastic! (a rating that’s not easily attained.)
4–4.5 DB’s -- Great: It’s worth seeing again/owning.
3–3.5 DB’s -- Decent – Good (I’d watch it again on cable)
2–2.5 DB’s -- Meh; (possibly had potential, but I won’t watch it again)
1DB -- Awful; I want my money back.
Anything less is not even worth downloading illegally
-Crash-
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