True Grit Review: Messing With A Classic…and Winning

In a day and age when remakes of classics (and even some not-so-classics) seem to far outnumber original films, it has reached a point where complaining about it doesn’t even feel cathartic. We need to just accept the reality that Hollywood always has been and probably always will be a place where ideas are recycled, rebooted, and reused more often than Hugh Hefner refreshes his dating pool.  And yes, 99% of the time the recycled project is inferior to whatever came before it but then, every once in awhile, that 1% staggers onto the screen and makes us want to forget that the original piece ever existed. And that’s exactly what the Coen Brothers have done with their remake of True Grit.

Don’t get me wrong. By no means do I intend to knock the original True Grit (1969). After all, it starred the most American of all movie stars – John Wayne – and earned him his one and only Oscar. It was also wonderfully entertaining and deserving of its status as a classic. But leave it to Joel and Ethan Coen to take the original story, beef it up with their wit, film it beautifully, and deliver a final product that not only ended up as one of my ten best of 2010, but is also a serious contender for the coveted Academy Awards next month.

There are many elements here that could have easily contributed to Coen Brothers making a great film – a great story, fantastic dialogue, and gorgeous cinematography from Roger Deakins but what really makes this film stand out is the absolutely stunning cast. Having Jeff Bridges here alone is enough to call it a good cast but seemingly every single role throughout the film, no matter how small, is played by someone with character just beaming out of them. We can take one look at the people who populate the world of True Grit and imagine a full and interesting life for each and every single one of them. We don’t get that often in modern day films, so to say I indulged while watching this is an understatement.

Bridges as Rooster Cogburn is the simply the most inspired bit of casting since Heath Ledger was cast to play The Joker. He is absolutely perfect for the role and manages to disappear into it with ease. Shockingly though, someone in the cast was able to upstage Mr. Bridges. Before now I didn’t even think that was possible but sure enough there it was in the form a 14-year old girl named Hailee Steinfeld. I don’t know who discovered this young woman but that person deserves a kiss on the mouth because she is amazing as the young heroine, Mattie Ross, and shows a maturity and boldness that is years beyond her age.

In the film, Mattie Ross, seeks the talents of Rooster Cogburn to bring the man who killed her father (Josh Brolin in a glorified cameo) to justice. Mattie is a ruthless negotiator, brave beyond words, and has the guts to stand up to nearly everything and everyone who gets in the way of seeking revenge. Along with Cogburn, Mattie secures the help of Texas Ranger LaBoeuf (no relation to Shia) played by Matt Damon. I don’t think I’m alone when I say that Damon isn’t the first thing to pop into my head upon hearing the words Texas Ranger, but he does a great job as the prissy but tough (never thought I’d say that) polar opposite of Rooster Cogburn.

Rounding out the stellar lead cast is usually handsome Barry Pepper as the evil and ugly Lucky Ned Pepper. I’m not sure if he landed the role because he shares his last name with the villain but the makeup department and his acting skills make them almost unrecognizable. I had to squint to tell that it was actually him but it sure as hell is. Kudos, Barry.

I could probably go on and on but I think I’ve made it clear that I’m a fan of True Grit. It is the most purely enjoyable of the Coen Brothers’ films and artistically on par with Fargo and No Country For Old Men. I also love that audiences seem to be responding positively to it in a big way as its attendance surges past the cinematic turd Little Fockers, which opened on the same day. The biggest question now is to how it will fare at the big award ceremonies. I think if this same film had come out five years ago it would have been looking at a clean sweep but with the Coens winning big a couple years ago with No Country and Jeff Bridges taking best actor honors last year for Crazy Heart, I’m guessing the academy will turn their attention elsewhere (most likely The Social Network).

But in the long run what does it matter? We have seen time and time again that great movies can walk away almost empty handed (Citizen Kane anyone?) and be remembered forever whereas sometimes the big winner is forgotten in a matter of days (anyone remember Crash?). I truly believe True Grit will fall in the first category. Your grand-kids may watch it thinking Bridges was a total bad-ass for an old guy and they’ll marvel at how young and amazing Hailee Steinfeld was before becoming a major star. That’s my dream anyway and I think I can safely say it will come true.

Grade: A