Dale Ranger’s review published on Letterboxd:
“I’m a foolish old man who’s been drawn into a wild goose chase by a harpy in trousers and a nincompoop”
The Coen Brothers are master film makers and writers and they have been from the very beginning.
When they were editors, they edited The Evil Dead and this gave them encouragement to do it themselves. They asked Sam Raimi how he got financing and he told them to shoot a trailer then shop it around to dentists and doctors asking for an investment. Which they did. They got some funding and went out and made Blood Simple and they have been wowing us ever since.
The Coen’s had done period pieces previously like the amazing, Millers Crossing.
But this was their first foray into an actual Western set in the Wild West.
A remake of True Grit. 1969. John Wayne’s only Oscar winning role as Rooster Cogburn.
This follows the original story and film quite closely.
Although this has its own Coen Brothers panache and spin on things.
The cast here is fantastic, Jeff Bridges hot off his Oscar win for Crazy Heart gives a phenomenal performance as Rooster and puts his own uniqueness into the character.
Matt Damon is great as the constantly yapping Texas Ranger, LeBoeuf (hey that’s Shia’s name!)
I love how he says. “Ay-dios.”
Mattie Ross: “Is Mr LeBoeuf okay”
Rooster: “Yes he’s fine, even a blow to head could only silence him momentarily.”
Mattie Ross, the stubborn, wise witted, fast talking and determined daughter of a murdered father is play with aplomb by Hailee Steinfeld. She was nominated for this role and rightfully so. She shows more distinction in this role than many twice her age and experience.
(This was a strong year in that category, she was up against Jacki Weaver for Animal Kingdom, who should have won. Amy Adams who definitely should have won. Helena Bonham Carter and Melissa Leo who won for the Fighter)
The man they are after is Tom Chaney played by Josh Brolin who plays this dim-witted man so well. I love the voice he has for this role.
Ned Pepper is played by the often overlooked but amazing character actor Barry Pepper. The distorted lips and the way he spits when he talks makes this character stand out.
In a brief cameo with have Domhnall Gleeson as Moon. He is pretty good in this small role, his career really takes off after this film. Which is a coincidence as the person who previously played Moon was a young Dennis Hopper whose career would also sky rocket after his role in True Grit.
(His fingers suffer the same fate in both films)
This story of a young wise girl going out of her way to find her father’s killer is just great. The arc of both lead chat is great. And the way that Roger Deakins shoots the amazing vistas makes this a stunningly beautiful film.
Since I saw this in the cinema it has been one of my favourite Coen Brothers films. (Top 5… maybe. There’s so many good ones to choose from)
But if you like either westerns or the Coen Brothers you will not be disappointed.
May the dead rest in peace.
“If you would like to sleep in a coffin. It would be alright.”
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