Review: Coen Brothers' "True Grit" (2010)

The Coen brothers deliver yet another good film. The Coens give me more and more insight on film with every release, good or bad. "True Grit" showed me that the Coens realize that every moment being filmed has a right way and a wrong way in processing it. The Coens trend toward putting together a fully capable cast through and through. It is better to have more surreal side characters and a more surreal environment and a mediocre star than to have a great star and mediocre everything else. When the environment is right, the whole cast is better, and when the whole cast is better, the star is elevated. The star rarely elevates the poop around him. The Coens make sure everything is right, and then let everyone elevate in perfection.

This film gave us a few interesting characters, some interesting faces, with some interesting shots. Jeff Bridges did not give me the performance I was hoping for, but what I was hoping for may not be very fair. I had recently seen his performance in "Crazy Heart", and wanted that actor, that character back so badly, that I felt it might happen in this. It didn't. You would have to be a diamond expert, with every magnifying glass at your disposal to try and identify flaws in the performance. Even a perfect diamond however, doesn't necessarily guarantee us the best shine. I don't feel like the role Jeff Bridges played pumped out more than good solid acting. There are moments in some films where when it ends, I get sad that the character just might never be seen again. Where a performance is so profound that it becomes one of my absolute favorites, as in "Crazy Heart" and not in "True Grit". If you want to see a solid, well performed 'gritty' man in any genre, "True Grit" gives you that.

The actress, Hailee Steinfeld, played her role exceptionally well never having had the experience of performing in film before. Her performance showed the same flaws as Jeff Bridges' role, impossible to see unless perhaps looking for flaws. Matt Damon however was the weaker link of the film I felt. Matt Damon never felt as developed as the rest, and didn't feel like he quite belonged in the era picture. I never fully believed he was a cowboy, or could be a cowboy, in any context. I would have preferred a MAN play his role. As for Josh Brolin, his part couldn't have been better given the amount of time he had to develop himself. For just a few moments of screen time, his presence and performance gave much more in the time given, than anyone else in the film. Before I conclude my words on the actors in the film, Barry Pepper, an actor I always wondered why I never saw more of, gave yet another interesting performance. Pepper, oh Pepper, show up more in good things, let your skill be revealed! His villainous character was unique in that he wasn't like any other cliche cowboy villain, instead, had depth.

A beautiful film, with very good performances, very well executed. Anyone should enjoy themselves watching this. I think this is your average Coen brothers film.

"True Grit"

8 / 10