True Grit - (December 22nd, 2010): PG-13
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Opening Weekend Box-Office: #2 with $24,850,000
Domestic Box-Office Gross to-date: $36,068,000
Gross Revenue: $49,381,000
Budget: $38 million
Directors: Joel & Ethan Coen
When the Coen brothers first set out remake the 1969 John Wayne classic True Grit, they knew that the best way to faithfully adapt the novel of the same name was to select an appropriate young actress to portray the stubborn protagonist Mattie Ross. After an open casting call of more than 15,000 applicants, Paramount settled on newcomer Hailee Steinfeld, who would have to hold her own against Hollywood heavyweights Jeff Bridges, Matt Damon, and Josh Brolin. Perhaps the biggest challenge would fall to Bridges, who would have to take up a role made famous by the legendary “Duke,” John Wayne, but between his Best Actor Oscar for 2009’s Crazy Heart and his diverse body of work from everything to Iron Man and Tron: Legacy, it was clear that Bridges was up to the challenge. And let’s not forget that Bridges previously worked with the Coen brothers in the cult classic The Big Lebowski. With the shared track record of both the directors and the actors, it looked like True Grit had an absolute formula for success, and trailers seemed to promise plenty of old-fashioned Western action to appease even the most casual fans of the genre. Needless to say, I was expecting nothing short of another Coen brothers’ masterpiece.
True Grit starts off by introducing audiences to headstrong fourteen-year-old Mattie Ross (Steinfled), who is trying to avenge her father’s murder at the hands of one of his workers, Tom Chaney (Brolin). Seeking to hire a Deputy U.S. Marshall to track down Chaney and bring him to justice, Mattie settles on the weathered yet experienced Rooster Cogburn (Bridges). With the help of Texas Ranger La Boeuf (Damon), who has been tracking Chaney for months, the trio set out on the terrain to hunt the ruthless murderer. Facing everything from outlaws to an uncertain terrain, Mattie must remain strong and face her fears alongside the two men in which she has decided to place her trust. In the end, the three wildly different personalities learn from each other and protect one another through the shared goal of catching the notorious outlaw.
As the grizzled and often-intoxicated Cogburn, Bridges is thoroughly entertaining and his antics are often a welcome break from the otherwise monotonous situations that plague True Grit. Though he is at times impossible to understand through his slurred speech, Bridges brings a level of intensity to the character that helps the audience to both sympathize with the experiences that weigh on the Marshall’s shoulders and relate to the bond that he forms with the young Mattie. It’s almost as if Cogburn is seeking redemption for the past sins he has committed by becoming a paternal figure to the girl that has just lost her father, and especially in the dramatic ending, the relationship is heartwarming. When it comes to Mattie herself, Steinfeld demonstrates considerable acting ability, coming across as a tough-as-nails youth who is eager to prove her competence and rectify any and all injustices that have befallen her over the course of her short life. While Mattie’s determination comes off a little strong at times and therefore makes it difficult to sympathize with the character, few can deny the high quality of the overall performance. Unfortunately, as I mentioned before, the strong acting is largely unable to build up any momentum thanks to the painfully slow pace of the underlying narrative.
While the previews would have potential audiences believe that True Grit is an action-packed adventure, the sad reality is that all of the action sequences within the film only amount to a few minutes of screen time, not lasting much longer than the very trailers in which they were first introduced. Granted, the core story of True Grit does involve the three heroes searching the wilderness, but watching the characters ride around slowly and talk about life can only hold my attention for so long; any and all action is localized in the film’s climax, and by then, I would suspect that a majority of younger audiences will have lost interest. Another great tragedy involves the underuse of Matt Damon and Josh Brolin; Damon is humorous as the cocky Texas Ranger, but he is only around for a couple of scenes, leaving almost no room for any form of character development. As for Brolin, an often-underrated actor, even though his character is the supposed main villain of the film, he only appears onscreen for about five minutes, which is both disappointing and anti-climatic. Now, maybe I’m just not used to Western films, but between the slow pacing, low character development, and a thoroughly cornball soundtrack, I was disappointed in True Grit.
From a box office perspective, True Grit opened strongly during the holiday weekend, taking in just under $25 million. I had previously been concerned that the film’s overall quality would suffer from a PG-13 as opposed to an R-rating, but critics don’t seemed phased in the least and such a rating is clearly helping to boost box office receipts. Paramount has already recovered its production budget and it is likely that more revenue will flow in as Oscar-season begins to approach. I may sound critical in this review, but I want to emphasize that True Grit is not a bad movie; it simply wasn’t my type of movie. If you are a fan of Westerns (as is likely for a majority of older audiences), then I’m sure you will love the Coen brothers’ newest offering, but for everyone else, be warned that the end result is not as entertaining as you may have been led to believe.
Overall Recommendation: Medium
