So begins True Grit. The rest of it reads “… but the righteous are bold as a lion.” Sounds like they have true grit. The unseen narrator, an older Mattie Ross, informs us that a coward named Tom Chaney (Josh Brolin) shot and killed her father, and ran though no one followed. Nothing in this life is free, she says, but the grace of God. Like a lion, she is going to pursue. The music in the background for much of the movie is the hymn “Leaning on the Everlasting Arms.”The Coen brothers say it is not a remake of the John Wayne classic. But it pretty much follows the plot line except for a few minor deviations. It is far more stark, however. It takes place during winter in the Midwest. Gone is technicolor, and Glen Campbell singing. But added is the Coen brothers’ flair for dialogue, and Mattie gives them a great opportunity. Her delivery reminds me of Holly Hunter in their also brilliant Raising Arizona.
She is also tougher than in the 1969 version. She spends a night in a coffin. She is dogged in her persistence in negotiation as well as pursuit. Before she pursues Chaney, she must pursue Reuben “Rooster” Cogburn. What we discover is not a woman marked by grace, but by law. The daughter of a Mason, she is a hard teenager. Like Javert she is going to pursue Chaney, except she is not the long arm of the law. This movie is about vengeance, not justice.
With the search for Osama bin Laden over, I couldn’t help but note the parallel. I’m not sure if this was their intended message, but it sure fits. Vengeance is accomplished, but the price was high both personally and collaterally. The starkness of the Coen brothers’ cinematography is matched by the brutality in the movie, particularly Cogburn’s. While not the best marshal in the territory, he is exactly the one Mattie wants. Though a drunk, Rooster knows no fear and offers no compassion. He’d rather bring back a corpse.Jeff Bridges is not the Duke, but is a better actor than the Duke. What he lacked in aura, he more than makes up for in acting chops. The brothers Coen help create the aura of brutishness they need to sell the character. We first “meet” him in the outhouse behind the saloon. His testimony at trial seals the deal. But he is not a monster. He tries to leave Mattie behind so she is not a part of all that will follow.
Matt Damon is a huge improvement over Glen Campbell as Ranger LaBoeuf. His is an odd character. Though much older, he seems to have something for the teenaged Mattie. He talks a good game, but he seems fairly incompetent when the pressure is on. He and Rooster don’t get along, and there is much verbal sparring. Every time they seem to part ways, something happens to bring them back on the same path.
LaBoeuf claims Chaney is very smart, and only acts stupid. Could have fooled me. Brolin does a great job playing the mentally challenged villain. But to bring justice to Chaney, Rooster has to deal with the rest of Lucky Ned Pepper’s (Barry Pepper with really bad teeth) gang. And that brings us to the most famous scene in the movie, with the lines I love so much. They keep it intact much to my delight. The Duke may have done it better, but Bridges pulls it off pretty well.The brothers Coen excel at telling stories with an odd twist. They do a great job telling this story. It is not a pleasant story, but they usually aren’t. Early on in the movie there is a hanging scene which sets part of the tone. Sin brings misery, misery that spreads far and wide. Yet, like another dying outlaw, we deceive ourselves into thinking we’re okay enough and going to get into heaven. As usual, the Coens provide an interesting glimpse into the human heart and its fallenness.
Caveman Considers
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