'True Grit'

'True Grit' (R) (3 stars)

Writers: Joel and Ethan Coen based on novel by Charles Portis
Director: Joel Coen
Starring: Jeff Bridges, Matt Damon, Hailee Steinfeld, Josh Brolin, Dakin Matthews,
Barry Pepper

The Coen Brothers love movies and it shows in every movie they make. I have never seen a bad movie that was written and directed by them. They have an unique, quirky style and while some critics find them smarmy and don't care for them I love that they don't roll with the staus quo. I don't know what their critics will think of their remake of "True Grit" for this is the most straight forward film making they have done. There are no quirks, fancy camera shots or that Coen goofiness and I kind of expected that it would have some of that style. Maybe it is because they respect and love the novel so much or maybe they wanted their first true Western movie to be seriously done. "True Grit" is not a remake of the 1969 John Wayne picture but is based on the original novel written by Charles Portis. The movie is seen through the eyes of a wonderful character played by a wonderful new 14 year old actress Hailee Steinfeld. The character is Mattie Ross who is a 14 year old girl seeking revenge on the man who killed her father. She enlists an U.S. Marshall named Rooster Cogburn who is played by the great Jeff Bridges. Also along for the ride is a sheriff named LaBoeuf played by the reliable Matt Damon.

I mostly liked "True Grit" for the Mattie Ross character which is good because the movie centers on her. It could have focused a lot on the Cogburn and LaBoeuf characters but that would have been the wrong direction. Hailee Steinfeld gives such an assured, mature and spellbinding performance for a first time actress. She is scared and vulnerable but also pretty tough when it is required. I love her first scene when she matches wits with a horse trader and pretty much wins. Jeff Bridges gives another excellent performance and this time he is buried into his character. He is colorful but he doesn't over play the look and doesn't come off as goofy. All I can say about Damon is that again he is great and charismatic here and I loved his scenes with Bridges. The acting is outstanding here and even Josh Brolin, as the villainous Tom Chaney, is good with very little screen time. The cinematography by the great Roger Deakins and the location work are breathtaking. The actions scenes and shoot outs are crisp, well directed and compelling.

I was very excited coming into this movie and I expected a Coen Brothers masterpiece and they do a great job here. The only thing that frustrated me was that I didn't love this movie. I have loved almost all of their movies and I liked watching this movie but it didn't grab me as I thought it would. This is a serious Western and it is exciting a lot of the times but in the end I felt somewhat cold about it also. I love the characters, I am very impressed by Steinfeld and the action and shoot outs are well crafted and amazing. I kept thinking of another Western that I think I loved much better and that was the remake of "3:10 to Yuma". I am not a huge Western fan if it is not a Clint Eastwood one but I loved "3:10 to Yuma". This version of "True Grit" is much better than the 1969 film and very entertaining but I still don't think it touches greatness like the Yuma remake did. There are Coen Brother movies I love like "Blood Simple", "Raising Arizona", "Fargo" and "No Country For Old Men" and ones I don't care a lot for like "O'Brother Where Art Thou?" and this is in the middle. I was impressed by the movie and the job the Coens did but I don't think this is one of their best movies.

I feel bad because I I think I am am being unfair thinking that all of the Coen Brother movies should be quirky and in their original style. They shouldn't have to make a mind bending, great masterpiece every time out. "True Grit" is a different movie for them because they tell a complete story and focus on their 14 year old heroine. They could have gotten sidetracked on their more colorful supporting characters. I like that the movie revolves around Mattie like it should, she is the one with true grit. Their Oscar winning Best Picture "No Country For Old Men" was done in the style of a Western. I love that movie and it grabbed me and was a powerful experience for me. "True Grit" doesn't have that same hold on me but I must say it is a very solid and well done Western. I also think some Coen fans might think this is outstanding and one of their best but sadly not in my opinion. It does have great action, photography, great performances by Bridges and Damon and a star making performance by Steinfeld. She is a true find and I want to see this movie again and focus on her, it might improve my rating.