How dare they remake the film that earned John Wayne his only Oscar!
Such is the resounding cry of film scholars and devoted fans of the Duke alike. That is, until the credentials of the Coens' True Grit become clear.
An old–fashioned western starring Jeff Bridges and directed by the Coen brothers is just the sort of concoction that would fuel the daytime fantasies of those same critics who cried foul.
Appeasing fans of their signature sense of humor while paying homage to the classic Westerns of a different era, the Coens add a touch of absurdity to a formulaic genre piece.
Mattie Ross (Steinfeld) has recently lost her father. Instead of staying at home to help her grieving family as most 14-year-old girls would do, she embarks on a mission of revenge to kill the drunken drifter who murdered him amidst a petty bar–brawl. Unable to carry out the task on her own, she hires the legendarily ruthless Rooster Cogburn (Bridges) to help her track down the infamous Tom Chaney (Brolin), along the way picking up Texas Ranger Laboeuf (Damon), who has his own motivation for finding the same man.
Newcomer Steinfeld more than holds her own alongside Bridges, who is clearly having the time of his life playing the whiskey–guzzling, crotchety old cowboy he was born to play. She stands as a pillar of sanity amidst the lawless west and her unhinged companions. Tough as nails, the film gradually makes us realize that she has as much "true grit" as Cogburn, leading to their unusual bond.
With True Grit, the Coen brothers are not as interested as reinventing the western (see No Country For Old Men) as they are paying playful homage. Sure, there are intense gunfights, but there are also ridiculous moments of humor. If you think Cogburn is hard to understand, try figuring out what Laboeuf is saying after he bites part of his tongue off. For bonus points, transcribe Brolin's dialogue, whose Tom Chaney sounds a bit like Jonah Hex. The Coens are clearly having fun with western tropes, poking fun at the genre's purported macho–ness.
Nevertheless, True Grit will satisfy die–hard western lovers as well. Its gorgeous landscapes, lush cinematography and quirky characters make for a rousing, if somewhat forgettable, good time. If anything, the film will make a star out of Hailee Steinfeld, who has crafted one of the most memorable young characters in recent memory.
4 Stars Directed by: The Coen brothers Starring: Jeff Bridges, Hailee Steinfeld, Matt Damon, Josh Brolin Rated PG–13, 110 min
