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Jeff Bridges is going to have the happiest holiday season of all this year, as he has not one but two big movies out in theaters for Christmas.  We’ve already talked about TRON: Legacy, which is currently rockin’ and rollin’ at the box office, and this week we get a second helping of the talented actor in the Coen Brothers’ take on the classic Charles Portis novel TRUE GRIT.  Many may make the understandable mistake that this is intended to be a straight-up remake of the John Wayne version from 1969, but the tone is quite different than the original big screen version.  The big question everyone seems to have is whether of not “The Dude” can out perform “The Duke” when playing the same character.

For those unfamiliar, TRUE GRIT is the old west story of Mattie Ross (Hailee Steinfeld), a young girl who wants revenge on her father’s cowardly killer, a man named Tom Chaney (Josh Brolin).  Using her book smarts, she acquires money from her father’s now pointless purchase of ponies, and goes looking for a Marshall to help in her quest.  Along the way she meets a mysterious man named LeBeouf (Matt Damon), who is well aware of her circumstances, but seems to have his own agenda.  Eventually she comes across a Marshall named Rueben J. Cogburn (Jeff Bridges), also known as “Rooster”, who is said to be pretty ruthless with his victims… just the kind of man Mattie is after, as she wants justice not jail for her target.  At first Rooster wants nothing to do with Mattie, even refusing her generous financial offer, but eventually he takes the job under the condition LeBeouf can ride along.  Along the way tempers flare between Mattie and LeBeouf, and Rooster eventually warms to his young employer, even opening up about his past exploits that have made him so legendary.  The trio must find a way to work together in order to find Chaney, against the backdrop of uncaring and rather unsympathetic surroundings.

TRUE GRIT isn’t a popcorn western like TOMBSTONE or even something such as the remake of 3:10 TO YUMA (both of which I love by the way).  It’s more in the line of UNFORGIVEN, or the rather underrated and rarely seen masterpiece THE PROPOSITION.  It’s rather interesting to see certain scenes which are almost line for line and shot for shot like the original, but yet so very different in their presentation.  Perhaps the first thing that stands out in the film is the incredibly strong and convincing performance of Hailee Steinfeld, considerably more impressive taking into account this is her first big screen role.  Clearly the Coens saw something in Steinfeld, and knew she had the gravitas to hold her own with this classic tale, and stand next to some of Hollywood’s biggest names.  She is quite remarkable, and perhaps one of the most incredible aspects of this update.  Then there’s Jeff Bridges, who is every bit as terrific in the role of Rooster Cogburn as you hope he’d be.  This is nothing like John Wayne, but instead a unique and fresh take on the gruff and lovable character.  We find ourselves taken with Rooster, and yet never really looking upon him as a hero.  And that’s the best part of this portrayal, as Cogburn is meant to be an antihero… a rough lawman with questionable morals, who is more of the right man for the job than someone you’d truly want around.  Despite that, there are genuine moments of relatable sincerity through Bridges’ performance, particularly as he warms to Mattie during their journey.  I love the fact that even after everything that happens in the film, Cogburn is hardly a hero.  That’s how westerns should be.  I was sadly less impressed with Matt Damon’s take on LeBeouf.  His character starts out interesting, and perhaps very layered, as he’s not one to take any sass from young Miss Ross.  But as the film goes on, he sort of fades into the background, and in many ways becomes a somewhat forgettable character.  I like Damon, and was intrigued to see him in this role, but it’s a part that just never seems to go very far.  I also didn’t particularly care for Josh Brolin’s portrayal of Tom Chaney, as he comes across as just a dumb hick, more confused that someone to be feared.  I think it’s fair to say the audience is hoping for a worthy villain in Chaney, and Brolin’s take on it is fairly unbalanced, leaving us with a feeling of incomplete character satisfaction… at least in my opinion.  High marks go to the almost always great Barry Pepper, who completely transforms himself as Lucky Ned Pepper.  You’ll barely recognize the guy, and like Bridges, Pepper nails the identity of an old west personality, not necessarily a bad man but far from being on the law’s side.  His role is brief, but done very well.

Joel and Ethan Coen have crafted so many great films through the years, some of which are leaps and bounds above others, but almost all impressive in some regard.  I find myself enjoying their period pieces particularly well, and the idea of them taking on a western was very exciting.  Thankfully they didn’t disappoint.  TRUE GRIT is a fabulous entry for the sometimes forgotten genre, and while not overly exciting or even fast-paced, it serves its purpose of keeping these kinds of films in the public conscious.  There are certain scenes I absolutely loved, like Rooster questioning a couple of criminals as to Tom Chaney’s whereabouts, and the events that follow that conversation – this memorable scene depicted in the original film is ramped up in a way only the Coens could.  There’s also the classic gunfight scene toward the end, which if you’re familiar with the book or original film, you’ll know what I mean… that scene works on many levels, and becomes the signature moment for the movie.  Perhaps the only failings, outside of the characterizations by Damon and Brolin, come in the rather somber and almost lackluster ending.  Again, this relates back to the Charles Portis book on which this film is based, but sometimes words on a page just don’t wow the way you hope they would on the big screen.  Regardless, TRUE GRIT is a solid film, classic in its sensibility and modern with its tone.

There may have been some pressure on the Coens for their long-awaited reuniting with THE BIG LEBOWSKI headliner, but the end result is rather pleasing.  If you like westerns, TRUE GRIT is a must-see this holiday season, and a nice alternative to the same old Hollywood schlock we’re used to getting this time of year.  Check it out and let us know what you think.

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