Remakes are not new. Hollywood has been raiding their vaults for tried-and-proven scripts for the better part of a century now. While some recent remakes have been questionable, Joel and Ethan Coen's take on True Grit is a shining example of what can happen when contemporary directors tackle a classic story. Based on the 1968 Charles Portis novel, this isn't a complex narrative. It's about Mattie Ross, a young girl seeking justice for her murdered father. In this role, Hailee Steinfeld is a true standout, holding her own against her veteran co-stars, effortlessly maneuvering through several snappy, intricate sequences of dialogue. Equally impressive is Jeff Bridges' interpretation of Rooster Cogburn, the role made famous by none other than John Wayne in the original 1969 film and the 1975 sequel. This is one of those larger-than-life characters, but Bridges shows no fear, depicting the one-eyed, world-weary marshal with a sense of grounded bravado and pragmatic humanity. Matt Damon plays the role of LaBoeuf, a Texas Ranger hunting the same man who killed Mattie's father. Together, the trio trek deep into Choctaw territory in their attempt to track down the murderous Tom Chaney, played by Josh Brolin. In classic Coen fashion, the script sparks with quick wit punctuated by moments of abrupt, brutal violence. So even if you're familiar with the original novel or John Wayne film, True Grit is still a story well-worth revisiting.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
True Grit
Remakes are not new. Hollywood has been raiding their vaults for tried-and-proven scripts for the better part of a century now. While some recent remakes have been questionable, Joel and Ethan Coen's take on True Grit is a shining example of what can happen when contemporary directors tackle a classic story. Based on the 1968 Charles Portis novel, this isn't a complex narrative. It's about Mattie Ross, a young girl seeking justice for her murdered father. In this role, Hailee Steinfeld is a true standout, holding her own against her veteran co-stars, effortlessly maneuvering through several snappy, intricate sequences of dialogue. Equally impressive is Jeff Bridges' interpretation of Rooster Cogburn, the role made famous by none other than John Wayne in the original 1969 film and the 1975 sequel. This is one of those larger-than-life characters, but Bridges shows no fear, depicting the one-eyed, world-weary marshal with a sense of grounded bravado and pragmatic humanity. Matt Damon plays the role of LaBoeuf, a Texas Ranger hunting the same man who killed Mattie's father. Together, the trio trek deep into Choctaw territory in their attempt to track down the murderous Tom Chaney, played by Josh Brolin. In classic Coen fashion, the script sparks with quick wit punctuated by moments of abrupt, brutal violence. So even if you're familiar with the original novel or John Wayne film, True Grit is still a story well-worth revisiting.
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