New True Grit
With their new film, True Grit – in theatres as of December 22, 2010 – the Coen Brothers scored their highest ever opening at the US box office, over last year’s Christmas weekend. Costing them only $38 million, the much acclaimed Western pulled an unexpected $36.8million on its debut and even though it ranks second, after Little Fockers, its position in the US box office doesn’t do it justice.
As Westerns haven’t been around much lately, this film is like a breath of fresh air, well received by the American (mostly male) public, moreover since the Coens put their own spin on it.
The film is based on a wonderful American novel, True Grit, written by Charles Portis. The book became a best-seller in 1968, and a year later, a first film version of it appeared, starring John Wayne as Marshal Rooster Cogburn, a role that brought him his only Oscar.
Even though the film is said to be a remake of the 1969 original, this cannot be more farther from the truth. The only thing the two films have in common is, most likely, the storyline, but the cinematic vision is completely different. The Coen Brothers surprisingly stuck to the literary source – witty and quite violent, we might add – maintaining, however, their morbid sense of humor.
The story is told in Mattie Ross’ (Hailee Steinfeld) perspective. After her father is shot in cold blood by the outlaw Tom Chaney (Josh Brolin), this 14-year-old girl from Arkansas is determined to catch him and bring him to justice. But, as she cannot do it on her own, she asks for the help of one-eyed, drunken but keen on triggering U.S. Marshal Rooster Cogburn (Jeff Bridges), who is said to have “True Grit”. At the same time, Texas Ranger LaBoeuf (Matt Damon) is looking for Chaney to bring him to Texas for the murder of another man. Thus, Mattie has to find Chaney before the Ranger so she can avenge her father’s death.
The Coens have done a terrific job in casting the actors. As expected by everyone, Academy Award winners, Jeff Bridges and Matt Damon act amazingly, but who’s most impressive is newcomer, Hailee Steinfeld. After her stellar performance as serious and strong-willed Mattie Ross, a role she was born for, Steinfeld is definitely an actress to keep an eye on.
Combining great actors’ performances with Charles Portis’ attention-grabbing storyline, and the Coen Brothers’ unique and witty style, True Grit impressed the critics Stateside and it seems that recognition for the masterful outcome is yet to come during the awards season.
