Remake

Perhaps The Coen Brothers wanted to steal John Wayne’s thunder or perhaps they wanted to jest tell a better story. But indefinitely Joel and Ethan Coen took True Grit from being a memorable Wayne film to vivid story of grit. The premise of True Grit is about young Mattie Ross retelling her account of how she saw to her fathers’ retribution. She travels miles away from home by herself to recollect her fathers’ belongings and as well to hiring a US Marshall to take down her fathers’ murderer. She hires Marshall Reuben “Rooster” Cogburn to take down the killer. A stubborn patriot that might as well have a whiskey bottle roped to his hand. Accompanying Cogburn and Mattie is Texas Ranger LaBeouf. LaBeouf possibly the opposite of Cogburn is young and cocky has already been tracking there killer. After charitable persuasion Mattie Ross the three head out for the killer in Choctaw Indian Territory.

The 1969 film True Grit, directed by Henry Hathaway became a classic western film. The original film stared John Wayne as Marshall Cogburn, Glen Cambell as Texas Ranger LaBeouf, along with Kim Darby as Mattie Ross. This film is the typical Hollywood Western. It may be how John Wayne entirely becomes the movie as lead roll. Or it may be the old and out played “western townscape”. John Wayne plays his classic cowboy roll, ending up stealing the show by killing the bad guys because he is the good guy. It is not bad acting it is just out played. Glen Cambells roll as Ranger LaBeouf is additionally another iconic western cowboy roll. He says his dialogue and plays the part but believable and entertaining, not so much. Kim Darby at the time of play Mattie Ross was twenty-two years old. Unable to understand why her character was so perky and happy throughout her ordeal was confusing. She did not fit the role. The Original True Grit is a classic film. It is happy go lucky, good guys vs. the bad guys. The film is entirely of the time but for today’s standards it is outdated.

The Coen Brothers 2010 True Grit remake is not so much a remake of the 1969 film but an adaptation to the book. Being a fan of Coen brother films it was enjoying to see the certain cast that has been used in many of their films. It includes much of the dark humor and extreme bitterness that Coen Brothers films usually have. Jeff Bridges starring in other Coen brother films like The Big Lebowski, takes the gritty role of Rooster Cogburn. In the film, Bridges is pretty damn impressive. In no way has he tried to become the Wayne of the film. Bridges allows himself to become the dirty, grimy, drunk bastard that was destined to be. Texas Ranger LeBeouf, played by Matt Damon is not the best of characters but adds sense of comic relief between Cogburn and Mattie Ross. Hailee Steinfeld playing the lead role of Mattie Ross ultimately brings the character relationships together. Instead of being a spunky young girl like in the 1969 film, she brings resourcefulness and determination. Steinfeld becomes Mattie Ross and allows you to gain insight to the lives of each character she comes across. The film is not exhausting. Each scene is original and unique. Creating the sense of space needed for their entire journey. The 2010 True Grit is authentic. It flows in its dialogue and flows visually within scenery.