True Grit

TeaSea

TeaSea

SOH-CM-2014
I went to this with some trepidation having been continually disappointed in remakes of classics....

I've gotta say....this was EXCELLENT! The Coen Brothers have nailed it. This is pretty much a straightforward treatment of the Charles Portis book, which was always a superb story.

Best movie I've seen this year, best western I've seen in years.
 
My John Wayne nut brother in law saw it last night down in Jackson and was telling me about it at the Christmas get together. Just off his recommendation that it's a must see, it's on my to buy list when it comes out on DVD. Heck, I might even try to talk Vickie to go see it in the local theater when it shows up. But any good westerns, I like to buy so I can see it again and again.
 
I saw it last night. It's as close to a family movie as the Coen's are likely to make. It's great if you enjoy dry humor.

It's a toss up John Wayne vs. Jeff Bridges but I think Damon > Glen Campbell and the girl playing Mattie was much better than the original.
 
Hhmmm...... I guess I'll have to buy this when it comes out on DVD. Honestly, I didn't think it could possibly come close to being as good as the original but I may be wrong.
 
Thanks for the review. I'm always, like many here, somewhat suspicious of remakes, but now I'll get it when it comes out on DVD. It will be a bit odd seeing someone else play one of John Wayne's most well know characters.
 
Hear you Jagdflieger....

I thought it through a bit and honestly Wayne plays a different character than Bridges. Again, Bridges interpretation much more approximates the original story. The original movie borrows the basic plot from the book, but modifies it at some key points. While I enjoyed the original movie (it's one of my favorites) it is not the book.

That being said, some of the dialogue comes directly from book, and you will see some lines verbatim. Portis did a lot of research of how people spoke and interacted during the late 1800's and that is one of the reasons the movies are both so enjoyable.
 
I'll stop by the library and see if they have the book. Ought to be a good read before seeing the new movie. The English of the 1800s sure sounds "stilted" by our current syntax.
 
Hey All,

Tea Sea I'm glad you said what you said about Bridges playing a different character.

John Wayne is my all-time favorite. Stewart, Fonda and some others reach all the way to his shoulders but Wayne IS the man! The reason I like John Wayne so much is exactly why everybody else has so much disdain for him. It made no difference what role John Wayne was cast in - Ghengis Khan (yes he was Ghengis in a movie), Rooster, Big Jake, the Quiet Man, Sgt. Stryker, Ethan Edwards (he should have got an Oscar for this role!), John Elder, Jacob McCandles, etc - it makes no difference - John Wayne was in every circumstance always and forever John Wayne. The ability of the man to not be overshadowed by the role is precisely what made him great! It made John Wayne a visible man of character (role model) and a visible hero - something the world needs today. This is NO political statement - it is just me saying what I think - the world needs men who are not afraid to stand up and say what they believe straight from the hip. I certainly did not agree with all Wayne's sociopolitical leanings but I admire the man - no end.

I don't know who said it but they nailed it when they said: "If you want to be an actor study Marlon Brando - if you want to be a star study John Wayne!"

It has bothered me that someone else would try to fill his shoes in a movie like True Grit. Maybe I will go see it.

-Ed-
 
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