RE: It's very common to underestimate a Coen bros film on first viewing

Posted by Dalton on December 24, 2010 at 16:12:43

In Reply to: It's very common to underestimate a Coen bros film on first viewing posted by Jazz Inmate on December 24, 2010 at 14:46:55:

Like most remakes, I found it ultimately pointless. The facile moral lessons are the same as the original and just as apparent. If you found deeper themes, you failed to point them out in your response.

The problem is "True Grit", even if it is a fine novel, really isn't a strong story as cinema. There is not enough time to fully explore and flesh out characterizations as there is in even a short novel and the straight forward linear plot is tedious, episodic, and relatively uneventful. Neither movie is head and shoulders above the other, much less among the great Westerns, but at least Wayne made the skimpy story entertaining along the way. Can't say the same for Bridges.

In the pre-feminist late 60s, audiences could take more away from the story in terms of its unique portrayal of a determined, strong-willed and intelligent young woman in a male-dominated western setting. But subsequently this conceit has been done to death. I don't understand why the Coens feel they had to remake this story when aside from slightly different tone and a more authentic aesthetic, it remains at its core virtually unchanged and unimproved.

Sorry, I don't hold either version in very high regard. In my opinion, the original at least is better for its lack of pretense. The new one gives me the same sort of feeling I got from watching The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. So much talent and artistry wasted on such a trivial story...

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Follow Ups Full Thread

Topic - Anyone seen an advance screening of True Grit? - Postal Grunt 19:45:30 12/19/10 (23)

an average effort by the Coen brothers, so still worthwhile IMO - PhilJ 11:27:56 12/24/10 (0)

Saw it last night... - Dalton 00:16:02 12/24/10 (4)

It's very common to underestimate a Coen bros film on first viewing - Jazz Inmate 14:46:55 12/24/10 (3)

RE: It's very common to underestimate a Coen bros film on first viewing - Dalton 16:12:43 12/24/10 (2)

RE: It's very common to underestimate a Coen bros film on first viewing - Jazz Inmate 22:43:40 12/27/10 (0)

Very, very well-written and thought out responses! ABSOLUTE - tinear 09:00:52 12/27/10 (0)

came out today and I saw it - tunenut 17:55:37 12/22/10 (4)

Thanks for that. Can't wait to see it. (nt) - reelsmith. 07:39:57 12/23/10 (0)

Another home run by the Coens - Jazz Inmate 00:23:56 12/23/10 (2)

Saw it Xmas day in Carmel, IN - SOLD OUT. - Harmonia 16:59:59 12/28/10 (1)

RE: Saw it Xmas day in Carmel, IN - SOLD OUT. - Vinylized 09:48:15 01/03/11 (0)

Looks pretty promising... - musetap 15:48:18 12/20/10 (0)

Word is they're as true to it as they were to "No Country..." nt - tinear 12:57:38 12/20/10 (0)

has all the earmarks of a classic Coen bros outing - Jazz Inmate 10:39:28 12/20/10 (0)

Newsweek said... - mkuller 20:17:08 12/19/10 (8)

As good as the book? - Peter Breuninger 05:13:54 12/21/10 (0)

Gee - The Godfather, The Graduate, Goldfinger ... - musetap 21:35:39 12/20/10 (1)

No James Bond film approaches the book upon which it is based. The formulaic 15-minute cavalry charge at the - tinear 07:56:07 12/21/10 (0)

'Blade Runner' - Tony D. 17:18:09 12/20/10 (1)

RE: 'Blade Runner' - user510 18:52:47 12/21/10 (0)

Where the Wild Things Are (NT) - tunenut 14:19:38 12/20/10 (2)

Agreed... - mkuller 16:10:33 12/20/10 (1)

arguably A Clockword Orange... - tunenut 16:46:06 12/20/10 (0)

Follow Ups

RE: It's very common to underestimate a Coen bros film on first viewing - Dalton 16:12:43 12/24/10 (2)

RE: It's very common to underestimate a Coen bros film on first viewing - Jazz Inmate 22:43:40 12/27/10 (0)

Very, very well-written and thought out responses! ABSOLUTE - tinear 09:00:52 12/27/10 (0)

RE: It's very common to underestimate a Coen bros film on first viewing

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