True Grit

This is what Hollywood needs. In another western-set take by the film-royalty brothers Joel and Ethan Coen, the nail could not have been hit more squarely on the head. Every character is a character, and every action has a calculated easy-going nature to it. While many will complain that it strays too far from its 1969 predecessor, James Fraiser of whatwouldtotowatch.com best sums it up when he says, "The Coen Brothers’ “True Grit” isn’t a remake of the 1969 Western that won John Wayne an Oscar, but an incredible work of its own based off the same source material."

While on the surface this appears to be a brutal, rambunctious frolic in the grimy world of the Coen Brothers' unparalleled imagination, at the core, this is a well thought-out, character-driven satire to the tune of simple, yet multi-faceted performances, pleasantly convention-defying direction, and a pleasantly convention-embracing storyline.

What was most appreciated about "True Grit" in particular was their take on violence. In our action-packed, fast-paced, entertainment-starving movie culture, violence is fun, cheap, and so highly contrived that the audience is desensitized to pain. "True Grit" violence had an almost lighthearted quality to it, but always very real, and never fun. My only criticism is the light they made of death, especially considering the many opportunities to make a legitimate emotional impact they had. Pain was felt, but never feared.

On the whole, this was a highly enjoyable film. It was unique, gripping, interesting, and visionary. Jeff Bridges' brilliant performance offset Hailee Steinfeld's shameful debut, especially in light of his recent "Tron" escapades, Matt Damon seemed a little separated from the rest of the movie, but more refreshingly separated from his previous roles, every character was intriguing and unique in a way unlike any movie I've ever seen, and the movie's many weaknesses were made light of and forgiven. I give it a healthy 8.5/10. It might not be the Oscar darling it was shaped up to be, but the pure entertainment value of this movie is sure to win it the audience an Oscar never could