True Grit

PG-13 for some intense sequences of western violence including disturbing images

When I first heard that the Coen brothers were going to do a movie called True Grit, I thought, surely not the western. Why would anybody do a remake of a film (released in 1969) that featured the American icon, John Wayne, and in a role, no less, for which he won an Oscar? An Oscar, in my way of thinking, that could be described as a pre-posthumous Academy Award for The Duke.

But, yep, sure enough, it was that True Grit. The one based on Charles Portis’ novel of the same name. But that was the very point. Many western readers love Portis’ novel for the language…the near poetic cadence of the dialogue…and the spunky character of the fourteen year old protagonist and narrator, Mattie Ross. Portis’ work has some serious literary “cred,” in high brow circles, and the first film version came up short, unworthy of the printed version in their opinion. The 1969 film was more about Rooster Cogburn or to be more truthful, John Wayne, than Mattie Ross the teller of the tale.

To criticize Mr. Wayne is probably close to disrespecting The Flag, the Baby Jesus, and the second amendment…so I shall simply point out that Wayne himself said people didn’t pay to see him act, people paid to see John Wayne. I agree. So John Wayne was John Wayne in the 1969 True Grit with a toupee, a corset, an eye patch, and a proclivity to mug so much for the camera that he put Mickey Rooney to shame…albeit to the amusement of all.  Even though there are scene-for-scene similarities with the two movies, it is unfair to compare.

The 2010 True Grit has true grit…and acting that would blow the carbine from Rooster Cogburn’s grip, drunk or not. And it has cinematography that would make Frederic Remington put up his paintbrush and head back home to Canton, New York. And the dialog? Oh, the power of the American language when written well and spoken effectively; Shakespeare himself would nod his bald pate in approval.

Jeff Bridges really, really plays Reuben (Rooster) Cogburn as God and Charles Portis intended. What a darn-tootin’ job he does. John Wayne played Rooster tipsy. Jeff Bridges plays him as a drunk. John Wayne was clean after weeks on the trail. Jeff looked, well, like Rooster Cogburn would look after weeks on the trail. You can practically smell him. And frankly, when Bridges plays Rooster the Hero, he convinces me that he is a hero and not a beloved actor playing a hero. Oscar will take notice of Rooster again, mark my words.

The pretty-boy Texas Ranger, LaBoeuf, is played by Matt Damon…and a very compelling job he does, by the way. (Glen Campbell played the role in the 1969 version, something I wish I could forget.) Damon hits both the comic and noble notes of this character…no easy feat.

But my highest acting accolades go to (the then) 13 year old Hailee Steinfeld who plays Mattie. This is her first film role…and if she never works again…it doesn’t matter…she was in command of every frame in which she appeared and when she barters with the horse trader the scene sparks and quickly catches fire. What a talent!

I am an unapologetic fan and admirer of the Coen brothers. Their quirky, brilliant movies are some of the finest examples of unique filmmaking in America, perhaps the world. But this time, their film is straight forward. Except for the high quality, one might not know it is the work of Joel and Ethan Coen. I think it simply demonstrates their enormous talent. They can do just about anything they set their minds to…including a classic western worthy of your time, money, and attention.

True Grit earns five bow ties out of five.