Just watched True Grit last night.
Utterly breathtaking! I'm not really a fan of Westerns, but I really love the Coen Brothers' stuff, so I was definitely up for watching. The scripting, acting and cinematography are as perfect as one would expect. The whole film is expertly poised, with a understated sense of elegaic pathos throughout, coupled with some wonderfully timed comicly dark moments.
There's not a single bad performance in the film, but I must single out the two leads. Jeff Bridges gives, in my opinion, his best performance since The Big Lebowski - John Wayne doesn't come close. The characterisation is subtle, and despite the lumbering nature of the character, Bridges gives an emotional physicality to the role that belies the sadness of the man underneath. Hailee Steinfeld, at the tender age of fourteen, also turns in an incredible performance, that captures both the steely determination of Mattie Ross, as well as occasional glimpses at the vulnerable child underneath.
I cannot recommend this highly enough: if you like good cinema, see this film! 9.5/10.
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Originally Posted by Paulclem
