"True Grit" [movie, review]
Mar. 12th, 2011 09:03 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
elfsOmaha and I went to see the new True Grit. There are no spoilers because this isn't a film about plot-- either you know it and know what'll happen, or you're culturally illiterate and don't know who John Wayne was.
But it's an excellent piece of cinematography, with vast vistas, wonderful sets (with only two obvious moments of green screen), and the acting is astounding. How Bridges and Hailee Steinfeld didn't walk away with Oscars only points to the strength of last year's field. The Coen's legendary ear for dialogue is absolutely everywhere, especially in the way they dug up old aphorisms and used them without being obvious about it.
There's only one weak point in the film, and it's at the end, and you might be forgiven for it by assuming the villain, who's cunning but not very bright, was so focused on getting back at the man who'd clubbed him that he'd use a rock and fight hand-to-hand rather than pick up his dropped rifle and shoot the good guys. He might also be forgiven for forgetting the rifle at all, seeing as he'd just been given a concussion.
Still, that's a minor quibble with some solid explanations. You'll go for the acting and the dialogue, which are the real reason to go see a Coen film anyway.
But it's an excellent piece of cinematography, with vast vistas, wonderful sets (with only two obvious moments of green screen), and the acting is astounding. How Bridges and Hailee Steinfeld didn't walk away with Oscars only points to the strength of last year's field. The Coen's legendary ear for dialogue is absolutely everywhere, especially in the way they dug up old aphorisms and used them without being obvious about it.
There's only one weak point in the film, and it's at the end, and you might be forgiven for it by assuming the villain, who's cunning but not very bright, was so focused on getting back at the man who'd clubbed him that he'd use a rock and fight hand-to-hand rather than pick up his dropped rifle and shoot the good guys. He might also be forgiven for forgetting the rifle at all, seeing as he'd just been given a concussion.
Still, that's a minor quibble with some solid explanations. You'll go for the acting and the dialogue, which are the real reason to go see a Coen film anyway.
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no subject
Date: 2011-03-13 06:48 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-03-13 06:33 pm (UTC)Tonight, per Netflix, we're watching the John Wayne/Katherine Hepburn 'Rooster Cogburn' sequel. I know it only has a 43% Rotten Tomatoes and was not received well by either critics or box office, but it is the only time those two got together on the screen and it will be worth at least nostalgic value.
no subject
Date: 2011-03-14 11:21 pm (UTC)Do we see the rifle lying around to be used?
His real mistake was not dealing with her, silently, when LaBoeuf's attention was distracted. Of course, sensible people would have ensured he couldn't get up and do this anyway...