True Grit

IMDB
First time viewed: Yes
Current Release: Yes
Watched With: Jordan, Naomi

This is probably the most accessible film the Coen Brothers have made in quite some time. A good old fashioned western. A lot of my friends have complained about their last few films no having endings which I completely disagree with, but there's no denying this film wraps everything up nicely.

Hailee Steinfeld makes one hell of a debut. As you would expect for the Coen's, the characters are so wonderfully written and amazingly performed by the actors. The trio of Hailee Steinfeld, Jeff Bridges and Matt Damon make for an unlikely comedy trio, nevertheless they are all hilarious and a joy to watch. I love how their comedy is so infused by the characters, no one ever feels like they are trying to be funny and nothing ever feel untrue to the characters, it just is funny. It's fantastic writing. Watching Jeff Bridges drunk or Matt Damon trying to speak with a bit tongue is just wonderful. Josh Brolin shows up toward the end, also sporting a drawl accent and is surprisingly sympathetic as the "villain" everyone is hunting down.

But make no mistake it is a Western first and foremost, I just happen to find those character moments at the beginning hilarious. The action beats are quick and unexpected and sometimes a little violent. But everything feels very realistic.

I'm glad Roger Deakins got an oscar nod for his cinematography, which he should have won for The Assassination of Jessie James by the Coward Robert Ford. The two westerns look absolutely nothing alike though, True Grit has a very natural feel to it.

It's a shame Carter Burwell score is ineligible for oscar nominations because a lot of it is based around a traditional hymn so technically he didn't compose it... That's just bullshit.

I have not seen the original film so I don't know how they compare but I thought this new version was a great easily digestible old fashioned western, with some of the most well drawn characters ever and some great action shoot out beats and a few other surprises thrown in. It's just plain entertaining, so go see it for a good time out.