Growing up I nearly worshiped John Wayne. My two favorite films as a kid were The Cowboys and True Grit. I can still recall the nights sitting on the couch with my dad and brother, watching as America's favorite hero fought crazy battles and nearly always came out on top. He was more than an icon, he was a legend.
Now, some 41 years after True Grit's original release, Academy Award winners Ethan and Joel Coen have teamed up together to remake the one film that earned Wayne his long overdo Oscar. Did they do the film justice? Sure. Did they surpass the original? Hell no!
The story is simple enough: A young girl is out to avenge her father's murder. Her only hope is an aging marshall; one that bears the reputation of "shoot now and ask questions later." A Texas Ranger joins in on the hunt as the trio embarks into hostile Indian territory. Okay, nothing exciting I know, but just wait until you witness the brilliant performances from both Jeff Bridges and newcomer Hailee Steinfeld.
While I expected a great turn from Bridges I was entirely shocked by that of his sidekick. Starring alongside two Oscar winners and an Acadamy Award nominee, the 14-year-old holds her own, demanding your attention and winning over your heart with her confident delivery and witty dialogue. She is the lone female throughout much of the film, and while the Coen Brothers are known for their off the wall stories and unforgettable characters, Steinfeld works the show as if it is all hers, nailing the role and leaving little margin for error for her counterparts.
I was a bit disappointed with Brolin's screen time. For such a well known and sought after actor you would think that the Coen's would have attempted to use him a bit more. Either way, the Coen Brothers have done a fantastic job at recreating a western masterpiece. It isn't a perfect homage, but as a John Wayne enthusiast, I'm not entirely sure if they ever stood a chance in that regard.
Genre fans are sure to enjoy this unique mix of drama and comedy; however, there is little to compare this one to as there have been few satisfying westerns in the last decade (does anyone really remember Open Range?). Still, during a time of mass release, True Grit is an easy pick. It has a bit of everything moviegoers look for when entering the theater, and for any film that is as big a compliment as I can give.
