In Reply to: 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:
>> The facile moral lessons are the same as the original and just as apparent. <<
No, the original did not do justice to the girl's perspective, or show the old gunslinger's meddle tested in the same way.
>> If you found deeper themes, you failed to point them out in your response. <<
Because I don't care to point it out for those who haven't seen it and consider them obvious to those who have.
>> The problem is "True Grit", even if it is a fine novel, really isn't a strong story as cinema. <<
Are you really saying themes like morality, resolve, revenge and wasted talent don't make for strong plotlines in movies, traditionally?! Wow.
>> 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. <<
Absurd. All movies are this length, give or take, and few have character development this strong. You'd have preferred a nonlinear plot gimmick? There was a beginning, middle and end that paid off all elements of the narrative.
>> 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 can think of only one: Pale Rider. But even that is a weak comparison because the girl is basically resigned to prayer whereas the girl in True Grit was far more resourceful and determined. What are all the other similar "done to death" westerns? Name a few.
>> Sorry, I don't hold either version in very high regard. <<
You certainly shouldn't apologize about holding the first version in high regard. It was horribly directed. If you can't enjoy this new version, don't apologize to me. It's your loss.
>> 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... <<
Benjamin Button was poorly acted, directed and written. It relied on gimmicks and special effects. There is no valid comparison. The films aren't in the same ballpark. Don't believe me? Just look on Rotten Tomatoes. True Grit got a 95%...Benj Button got a 72%. If you got the same feeling from both, that says more about your mood's impact on your ability to properly analyze the films than anything else.
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Follow Ups
- RE: It's very common to underestimate a Coen bros film on first viewing - Jazz Inmate 22:43:40 12/27/10 (0)