Saw True Grit tonight
By Toadsticker
@Toadsticker (246)
United States
December 31, 2010 7:16pm CST
What a flick,
I have to admit I am a huge fan of the Duke and this is the only role in which he won an Oscar, so I was a little leery of this remake.
I won't give any spoilers but it is very faithful to the first movie with many scenes and lines that are recognizable. There are some differences and Jeff Bridges plays a much Grittier Reuben that Waynes' Rooster.
A couple things really bothered me about the movie.
First was the vernacular. No one in the whole movie used a contraction.
I can see this from young Mattie the very proper 14 year old girl but a drunken old lawman would not speak as precisely, along with everyone else.
Next was Bridges slurry grumbly way of delivering his lines. A very good job of character.Trouble is at least two other characters spoke almost the same way.
The last thing that bugged me was the cornbread scene where Cogburn shoots eight shots from his six shot revolver without reloading.
All in all a great movie
2 people like this
6 responses
@DarlingGirl (745)
• United States
1 Jan 11
Hi, Toadsticker! I just saw the remake, too. I can't say Jeff had the same presence that he Duke had. Far from it, his Cogburn wasn't nearly as "gritty!" He didn't surprise me, he didn't scare me, either. Actually he was quite a cordial Cogburn.
Mr. Damon was fun though young, and not terribly believable. But I didn't recognise him until they gave him a speaking line, as he appeared taller and slimmer than I expected. The mustache was what was hiding his face.
Actually, the kicker was seeing Barry Pepper, who I really like. He's got star quality, and he played a magnificent bad guy. In my book that's the sign of a great actor. You might remember him as the kindly preacher who advised the President in "Contact" with Jodie Foster. Back then he was magnetic, but now he's downright scary. Awesome but short performance.
I liked the film, and the gal who played MAttie was pretty good, but I cant help but remember Kim Darby even more because of her performance.
I'd have waited for this one on DVD, if I had known. Still a stand-up movie on its own. Hopefully it'll get the younger folks to check out the original.
@DarlingGirl (745)
• United States
1 Jan 11
WOOPS! I had Barry Pepper mixed up with another actor! Barry was from Battlefied Earth and Saving Private Ryan! heh. We haven't seen much of him lately, but I love hs acting.
1 person likes this
@Toadsticker (246)
• United States
1 Jan 11
Yep I told my wife Barry was the sniper in saving private Ryan but she didn't believe me right away.
1 person likes this
@thedailyclick (3017)
•
1 Jan 11
The thing is, is the Coen's True Grit a remake of John Wayne's movie or just a new version of Charles Portis's novel?
I haven't watched the new version yet because I absolutely love the 1969 version and I can't see it getting anywhere close to it. Plus being from two different era's people will watch the older one now for the first time and find it weak without taking into account how cinema has changed over the years.
2 people like this
@Toadsticker (246)
• United States
1 Jan 11
It is almost a straight remake...
I did a review here:
http://www.helium.com/items/2053128-true-grit
I kind of compare the two.
1 person likes this
@anniepa (27955)
• United States
1 Jan 11
My husband absolutely refuses to see the remake because he worshiped the Duke. I'd heard this version was more faithful to the book; any thoughts on that? I never read the book so I couldn't say even if I did see the new one.
I wonder how many others picked up on the eight shots from the six-shooter...lol? These kinds of bloopers happen quite frequently.
Annie
@Toadsticker (246)
• United States
1 Jan 11
I feel the same way about the Duke.
I didn't want to see it either. But the Mrs. wanted to go to a movie for new years and it was the only one I remotely was interested in seeing.
I have not read the book so I can't compare it to that.
I would say that it is worth seeing in it's own light. I put the Duke on the back burner and enjoyed it. I think the cast in the new one for the most part is far better than the first one. The Duke really played a parody of himself in it and Bridges plays a character who I think is even grittier than the Duke.
Some scenes seem word for word remakes to me even though I have seen the original in a couple years. The final shootout is better in the original.
I like Matt Damon job on LaBeouf so much better than Glen.
Overall I really enjoyed it and will probably get it on DVD some day.
@TrvlArrngr (4045)
• United States
18 Feb 12
I am watching it now. It's pretty good but I still like the original one better.
@sender621 (14893)
• United States
1 Jan 11
I have not been out to see this film yet. i did see the original with john Wayne. i have heard some great things about this new film though. i can't wait for the chance to see it soon.1 person likes this
@Toadsticker (246)
• United States
1 Jan 11
Some things are great and some things drove me crazy.
It is hard to say which I liked better.
The new rooster is very different than the Dukes
1 person likes this
@arunr175 (1678)
• India
5 May 12
I have also seen the remake of True Grit and is a great film, will have to say Jeff Bridges, Matt Damon, Hailee Steinfeld did a great job in the film.
There are flaws but a well made film to keep it interesting ....
