......from the Coen Brothers starring Jeff Bridges, newcomer Hailee Steinfeld, Matt Damon and Josh Brolin and thought it was really good.
I believe most viewers will find a lot to enjoy.
The Link
Spoilers:
Remembering well the original version starring John Wayne, Glen Campbell and Kim Darby, directed by Henry Hathaway, I enjoyed it back then and, in part several times, more recently on TV.
I've read that the Coen Brothers have made it clear they don't consider their new flick a remake of the 1969 movie for which John Wayne won his Best Actor Academy Award.
I won't question them making that distinction, but both movies are from the Charles Portis novel of the same title and have the same story, the same setting, the same characters, the same scenes with the same plot twists and lots and lots of the same dialog.
So, if you think you've watched most of this before you're absolutely correct.
Only, it was The Duke the first time around and now it's The Dude.
And the Coens are in charge.
However, don't worry moviegoers, whatever you think you're thinking about thinking what I'm thinking.
Because, I'll assert that, for me, each film stands up quite well, whether considered together and/or separately.
I think the most noticeable difference is that in The Duke's earlier film, John Wayne playing "Rooster" is always clearly identifiable as the larger than life movie icon: John Wayne, whilst in The Dude's current flick, the actor Jeff Bridges almost completely disappears into his portrayal of the drunken, slothful, reprobate U. S. Marshal Reuben J. Cogburn, who is faulted, one-eyed, fat and foul, but finally faithful and forever fearless.
IMO, everybody in both flicks showed plenty of true grit.
I appreciated and like both movies.
John Wayne was a movie star, who certainly acted well enough.
And Jeff Bridges is one of our best actors, whose star burns brightly.
Look for the little pieces of business he does with his body, hands or face when he's delivering a line or even saying nothing at all.
And appreciate one bit when he dismounts and takes a full minute stumbling, steadying and orienting himself after he reaches the ground.
I'll bet the Coens get Academy Award nominated as directors and "readapted screenplayers," along with Bridges (who won his Best Actor Oscar just last year playing a more modern misfit cowboy) and also 14 year old newcomer Steinfeld for their acting performances and the cinematographer, Roger Deakins, for his photography.
And Matt Damon's measured performance might get a nod too.
James Brolin and Barry Pepper were good as well.
I thought Wayne, Campbell, Darby and Robert Duvall were well cast and did well in the first, less dark, 1969 film.
Hey, it's theme song, sung by Glen, won an Oscar.
I believe, Kim Darby received somewhat less screen time for her portrayal of Mattie Ross and she played the role (and was) older.
But it was a pretty good semi-old oater, just a little different in emphasis, tone and temper.
Go see the current movie, "True Grit," for studied realism about the period and place, its fine acting, intelligent dialog and a worthwhile new look at an excellent Western storyline.
Your thoughts?
I believe most viewers will find a lot to enjoy.
The Link
Spoilers:
Remembering well the original version starring John Wayne, Glen Campbell and Kim Darby, directed by Henry Hathaway, I enjoyed it back then and, in part several times, more recently on TV.
I've read that the Coen Brothers have made it clear they don't consider their new flick a remake of the 1969 movie for which John Wayne won his Best Actor Academy Award.
I won't question them making that distinction, but both movies are from the Charles Portis novel of the same title and have the same story, the same setting, the same characters, the same scenes with the same plot twists and lots and lots of the same dialog.
So, if you think you've watched most of this before you're absolutely correct.
Only, it was The Duke the first time around and now it's The Dude.
And the Coens are in charge.
However, don't worry moviegoers, whatever you think you're thinking about thinking what I'm thinking.
Because, I'll assert that, for me, each film stands up quite well, whether considered together and/or separately.
I think the most noticeable difference is that in The Duke's earlier film, John Wayne playing "Rooster" is always clearly identifiable as the larger than life movie icon: John Wayne, whilst in The Dude's current flick, the actor Jeff Bridges almost completely disappears into his portrayal of the drunken, slothful, reprobate U. S. Marshal Reuben J. Cogburn, who is faulted, one-eyed, fat and foul, but finally faithful and forever fearless.
IMO, everybody in both flicks showed plenty of true grit.
I appreciated and like both movies.
John Wayne was a movie star, who certainly acted well enough.
And Jeff Bridges is one of our best actors, whose star burns brightly.
Look for the little pieces of business he does with his body, hands or face when he's delivering a line or even saying nothing at all.
And appreciate one bit when he dismounts and takes a full minute stumbling, steadying and orienting himself after he reaches the ground.
I'll bet the Coens get Academy Award nominated as directors and "readapted screenplayers," along with Bridges (who won his Best Actor Oscar just last year playing a more modern misfit cowboy) and also 14 year old newcomer Steinfeld for their acting performances and the cinematographer, Roger Deakins, for his photography.
And Matt Damon's measured performance might get a nod too.
James Brolin and Barry Pepper were good as well.
I thought Wayne, Campbell, Darby and Robert Duvall were well cast and did well in the first, less dark, 1969 film.
Hey, it's theme song, sung by Glen, won an Oscar.
I believe, Kim Darby received somewhat less screen time for her portrayal of Mattie Ross and she played the role (and was) older.
But it was a pretty good semi-old oater, just a little different in emphasis, tone and temper.
Go see the current movie, "True Grit," for studied realism about the period and place, its fine acting, intelligent dialog and a worthwhile new look at an excellent Western storyline.
Your thoughts?
