So, one thing I’ve really learned about myself so far is that I apparently really enjoy modern westerns. Really, I’ve known that since Red Dead Redemption brought me out of only playing multiplayer video games, but I think I’ve been in denial. I’m not sure exactly why I didn’t want to admit that I liked westerns, but it must have something to do with my distaste for country music. However, I realized during today’s film that the music in the films usually isn’t the kind I dislike. Between Hateful Eight, Bone Tomahawk, and The Revenant (debatable, but it works) I’ve seen recently and fond memories of Young Guns and The Quick and The Dead I clearly am a fan of the genre.
Besides the fact that I have come to terms with my love of westerns, I’ve also been waiting for this week since the challenge started…IT IS COEN BROTHERS WEEK! In honor of Hail, Cesar! coming out this week I’ll be watching Coen movies. I’ll be re-watching some I’ve seen, but the best part is I’ve missed a bunch that I’ve heard great things about. I decided to start with True Grit, which has a 7.7 out of 10 on IMDb and 96% on Rotten Tomatoes, and I think this was a good place to start.
Fourteen-year-old Mattie Ross’s (Hailee Steinfeld) father has been murdered by Tom Chaney (Josh Brolin) and she takes it upon herself to hire Marshall Rooster Cogburn (Jeff Bridges) to track him down. Texas Ranger LaBoeuf (Matt Damon) has been chasing Chaney through multiple states and joins in on the hunt. This plot is definitely a common one in the genre and, of course, this is a remake of a John Wayne film by the same name, however, the acting is superb and has the Coen feel about it for sure.
I went through a variety of appreciation in while watching this film. I started watching it on my iPhone while at a carnival type atmosphere at my daughter’s middle school. I was captivated by Steinfeld’s performance an intrigued by the character that was developing on the small screen. I paused right after Daniel’s character came into the film and had to wait about half-an-hour before I was able to resume the film on my PS3. LaBoeuf cracked me up instantly as his spurs and costume seemed out of place compared to the other characters seen so far.
In a film that features such a serious topic as revenge and justice, the Coen’s do a good job of adding humor and developing characters. Mattie’s negotiations with the horse trader (I think that was his job) was hilarious, Cogburn’s overall interaction with everyone was hilarious, and yet the connection the characters create while on their journey is very organic and believable. I was always pleasantly surprised with Mattie’s drive and determination and refusal to fall into the role of young, helpless girl. No one took her serious and she eventually wears them down and earns their respect.
The camera work is great and full of the long shots that showcase the western landscape that is expected in this genre. It’s definitely a film that I will re-watch again in the future and since its rated PG-13 I’ll likely show it to my film class at some point. I give True Grit 9 out of 10 California gold pieces.
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