TRUE GRIT (REVIEW)
Rated
M - 110 mins
Jeff Bridges, Hailee Steinfeld, Matt Damon, Josh Brolin, Elizabeth
Marvel, Barry Pepper
A triumph. This is the first grand film
of the year, a reloaded version of the 1969 western that won legend John Wayne
an Oscar, which inturn is based on the novel by Charles Portis.
Stepping
into the dusty old boots of The Duke as the hard drinking, trigger happy, reprobate
character of Rueben J. Rooster Cogburn, is the more than worthy, Jeff Bridges.
The epic quest starts with a strong willed, completely stubborn 14 year old farm
girl Mattie Ross, who sets out to capture her father's vicious killer. No ordinary
tenacious teenager, she approaches the grizzled Lawman Cogburn to have him assist
in the capture of known murderer Tom Chaney (a dastardly Josh Brolin). Reluctantly
he responds to her request and against his better judgement allows her to accompany
him on the journey.
Joining the unlikely duo is strident Texas
Ranger LaBoeuf (Matt Damon) who wants Chaney hung for reasons of his own. The
three opposites head out on foot and horseback into some very nasty terrain, ultimately
their grit is tested. Outlaws, undertakers and vigilantes are only part of the
problem; the harsh weather also plays havoc in pushing the limits of adversity.
Wonderfully photographed, its very brave from the Cohen Brothers to remake a beloved
classic, but these sibling creators of such gems, 'Fargo' & 'Millers Crossing',
have succeeded above standard.
In yet another amazing performance,
eye patch wearing Jeff Bridges mumbles and growls his way through with unpredictable
swagger, he may even have a heart. Looking closer however, owning the movie is
young, virtually unknown but bright as a button, Hailee Steinfeld. She is magical
as tomboy Mattie Ross, holding a parch demeanour, not once drifting from character
and gradually engages you in a trance. A concise, unforgettable performance.
A
traditional style western score is given a contemporary upgrade by composer Carter
Burwell, it may send a shiver down the audiences spine heightening the suspense.
It
is important to remember to take a breath in the quieter moments, the build up
proves intense.
With flourishes of raw humour and twisted offbeat
quips amongst the gun slinging, 'True Grit' is an absolute must see in glorious
cinemascope on the big screen. Even The Duke would concur.
Shane
A. Bassett
