The Coen Brothers’ haven’t simply remade the 1969 classic film, True Grit they’ve reinvented it. It’s led with forceful performances, a western savvy script and a sense of time and place that only Joel and Ethan Coen could acquire.

At the films core is Mattie Ross (Hailee Steinfeld), a strong-willed, quick witted, 15 year old girl, who has decided to revenge her fathers’ death. Her persona is built on a belief that nothing is free in this world, except for Gods grace. To say that Mattie Ross is mature for her age is an insulting understatement, she not only extremely intelligent, but exceedingly wise. Those attributes are shown throughout the journey she takes with both Rooster Cogburn (Jeff Bridges) and LaBoeuf (Matt Damon) to hunt down the murderer, (of the father) Tom Chaney (Josh Brolin).

As Mattie embarks on this action-filled journey, she not only enlightens Rooster and LaBeouf, but she transforms them. It’s no surprise to anyone that the three start to bond and become friends. Friendship entails ups and downs, that saying still applies here. But as True Grit transcends from one plot point to the next, we become deeply invested in these characters and the journey they all go on.

Much to my surprise the conclusion of True Grit is much more subtle than I imagined. But it doesn’t leave you with an unsatisfied payoff; instead it gives us an appreciation of the beauty in which this remarkable story is told. (Ex: the ending of No Country For Old Men & Fargo)

There isn’t one moment in True Grit were it feels like a remake, that credit could easily go to the Coen Brothers’. They not only have rejuvenated this western-classic, but also embodied a whole new spirit in it. With a strong resume of directorial efforts ranging from the vastly underrated Burn After Reading to the classic Fargo to even one of the best comedies of last year A Serious Man, the Coen Brothers’ new film, reinvents the wheel of western filmmaking.

Beyond the great directing from the twins, the performances across the board are superb. Relatively newcomer Hailee Steinfeld gives possibly the best female performance of the year. There isn’t a scene she doesn’t command, front and center. Josh Brolin and Barry Peppers’ contribute some solid supporting work. Matt Damon gives his strongest and most gratifying performance since The Informant (2009). And last but not least Jeff Bridges turns in another engaging and entertaining role. He doesn’t play Rooster Cogburn; he is Rooster Cogburn, mind, body and spirit. I think it’s safe to say the Dude knows Rooster like the Duke never did.

The cinematography by Roger Deakins (The Shawshank Redemption, Fargo and The Big Lebowski) is flawless. Once again Deakins creates an atmosphere that seems to be a character of it’s own. The music done by Carter Burwell is magnificent. It consistently conjures our emotions scene by scene, not to mention it sets the mood of the film.

As I recollect about the Coen brothers, I constantly have a hard time comparing them to anyone or anything. That could be because they’re not only amazing at what they do, but on a totally different island from everyone else. But then as I woke up this morning, it came to me. The Coen brothers are the Beatles of filmmaking. They not only make one gratifying picture after another, they revolutionize themselves every time out. True Grit is not as good as Fargo or No Country For Old Men (not much is), but it’s one of the years best.

‘True Grit’ Trailer HD_1

Rating:

True Grit (2010)

Cast: Jeff Bridges, Hailee Steinfeld, Matt Damon

Director: Joel Coen, Ethan Coen

Writer: Charles Portis, Ethan Coen

Runtime: 110 minutes

Genre: western, drama, adventure

Trailer True Grit

by CinemaRx