Movie Review: True Grit

Most everyone knows my feelings about the Coen brothers. I am not their biggest fan. However, as the opening weekend of True Grit got closer and closer, I kept feeling like I needed to see it. For some reason I had a hunch that I would like this Coen film, and I have to say that following my gut worked out. I really enjoyed it!

I couldn't believe how much fun I had during this movie. I laughed throughout, and I can honestly say that I was not expecting that. Jeff Bridges is was so rough and tough and yet very lovable. I adored his slurred speech and accent for his character. From the very beginning, there was no doubt in my mind that he was a true ace, but it was obvious he had a soft side, too. Matt Damon's Texas Ranger was just the perfect balance of cocky and clueless. He was charming a lot of the time, but then he'd get a little bit in over his head and have to be taken down a few notches. And Hailee Steinfeld was an absolute enigma, the heart of the film! This young gal has never been in a movie before this one, and she blew it out of the water. First time out, and she's an Oscar contender. Talk about batting 1000...or a hole in one... or whatever other sports analogy you can think of that equals perfection. Hailee was absolutely fabulous.

I couldn't believe how easy it was to connect to this movie. Usually, I have found the Coens' films to be cold and detached, however, I really loved the characters and felt linked in. One of the driving forces of the film is Rooster Cogburn's obvious attachment that increases for Mattie throughout the movie. He tries not let her in, but she's so persistent, and so relentlessly and effortlessly awesome, she cracks her way into his heart. Also, the hilarious banter between those two and LaBoeuf is the icing on the cake. Even in moment where I didn't expect and feel it was appropriate to laugh, I had to, because of some of the great one-liners.

"Where's Mr. LaBoeuf? Is he ok?"
"Indeed, even a rock to the head cannot quiet him but for a few minutes."

It's an old fashion western, but doesn't feel dated. I must now eat my words, because lo! and behold, a Coen brothers movie finally exists that I truly enjoyed and want to see again. And, dare I say, I also would like to own this movie one day? I think that might be true as well.