Movie Reviews: "True Grit" - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

JamesG · 12-22-2010, 09:35 PM

Movie Reviews: True Grit

It’s obviously impossible to review the Coen Brothers’ True Grit without comparing it to the original starring John Wayne.
Most critics conclude that they have improved upon the original.

“Joel and Ethan Coen have pulled off an impressive feat,” writes Claudia Puig in USA Today.

“True Grit is more than a remake,” she concludes, “It’s a triumph in the long list of Coen successes.”

Many of the reviews focus on how well Jeff Bridges takes on the role that won John Wayne an Oscar for the 1969 original.

Comments Roger Ebert in the Chicago Sun-Times:

“Bridges doesn’t have the archetypal stature of the Duke. Few ever have. But he has here, I believe, an equal screen presence. We always knew we were looking at John Wayne in the original True Grit. When we see Rooster Cogburn in this version, we’re not thinking about Jeff Bridges.”

Mick Lasalle in the San Francisco Chronicle puts it another way.

Bridge’s achievement, he writes, “is not that he’s better than Wayne – you can’t really argue with the image of Wayne onscreen – but rather that when Bridges is up there, Wayne doesn’t cross the mind.”

And Roger Moore concludes in the Orlando Sentinel:

“Bridges is more than Wayne’s match as an actor. But even in his iconic roles, he’s never more or less than absolutely authentic and real-life sized.”

All of those judgments, however, appear to be utter heresy to Kyle Smith in the New York Post.

“It isn’t much of a contest,” he writes. “The clear winner is John Wayne, because the Coens are playing his game. The Duke couldn’t do the Coens’ sly in-jokes, but they’ve never been able to reach out and move the audience to heights of emotion.”

-IMDB News

ponytail · 12-23-2010, 06:19 AM

I just might go see this movie. I love westerns and especially John Wayne. I thought I would just be comparing the two movies. But watching clips, the movie looks pretty good.

treky · 12-25-2010, 12:52 AM

yes, it does look good, I'm definetaly going to go see it. When I first heard it was being made I had my doubts about it. But, after seeing the ads on TV all doubt was erased.

The original one (for which John Wayne won his first and only oscar) is good (I have it on VHS) but this one looks even better!

Janice · 12-25-2010, 01:13 AM

I saw both movies, and there's no comparison, in my opinion. I like Jeff Bridges as an actor, but to me, it's almost laughable to put him in John Wayne's league. John Wayne is a legend. His onscreen presence towered above the rest. He owns the role of Rooster Cogburn in much the same way that Vivien Leigh owns Scarlett O'Hara.

Mr. Television · 12-25-2010, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janice

I saw both movies, and there's no comparison, in my opinion. I like Jeff Bridges as an actor, but to me, it's almost laughable to put him in John Wayne's league. John Wayne is a legend. His onscreen presence towered above the rest. He owns the role of Rooster Cogburn in much the same way that Vivien Leigh owns Scarlett O'Hara.

I figured that. John Wayne was such an icon and True Grit is one of my favorite movies. I like Jeff Bridges too and I'm glad they're attempting to make westerns even if it's a remake. I'll definately check it out but it's going to have to be great to beat the original.

Tishawn45 · 12-30-2010, 01:10 AM

One of the glories of True Grit is that it recognizes Wayne's special presence. I really enjoyed watching it.

MrCleveland · 12-30-2010, 02:19 AM

I may see this version. It may be like comparing 1925 "Ben-Hur" to 1959 "Ben-Hur"...the film was remade...but for the better...not like "The Bad News Bears"!

treky · 12-31-2010, 04:35 AM

well, I'm seeing it tonight so I'll post my thoughts about it later.

treky · 01-02-2011, 10:19 PM

I saw it, and think it's slightly better than the original. But I like John Waynes Rooster Cogburn better than Jeff Bridges.
I agree with Janice; John Wayne was PERFECT in that role (it was written for him) just likeVivien Leigh was perfect as Scarlet O'Harra, Clark Gable was perfect as Rhett Butler, and Basil Rathbone and Jeremy Brett were perfect as Sherlock Holmes (ecspecially Jeremy Brett)

isiahthomas · 01-08-2011, 05:03 PM

I might see this next weekend if it doesn't snow here. I like westerns and Jeff Bridges.

isiahthomas · 02-17-2011, 09:34 PM

I saw True Grit last weekend and i liked it. I hope Jeff Bridges wins a oscar.

12-22-2010, 09:35 PM	#1
JamesG Freakshow Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 01, 2008 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 57,168	Movie Reviews: "True Grit" Movie Reviews: True Grit It’s obviously impossible to review the Coen Brothers’ True Grit without comparing it to the original starring John Wayne. Most critics conclude that they have improved upon the original. “Joel and Ethan Coen have pulled off an impressive feat,” writes Claudia Puig in USA Today. “True Grit is more than a remake,” she concludes, “It’s a triumph in the long list of Coen successes.” Many of the reviews focus on how well Jeff Bridges takes on the role that won John Wayne an Oscar for the 1969 original. Comments Roger Ebert in the Chicago Sun-Times: “Bridges doesn’t have the archetypal stature of the Duke. Few ever have. But he has here, I believe, an equal screen presence. We always knew we were looking at John Wayne in the original True Grit. When we see Rooster Cogburn in this version, we’re not thinking about Jeff Bridges.” Mick Lasalle in the San Francisco Chronicle puts it another way. Bridge’s achievement, he writes, “is not that he’s better than Wayne – you can’t really argue with the image of Wayne onscreen – but rather that when Bridges is up there, Wayne doesn’t cross the mind.” And Roger Moore concludes in the Orlando Sentinel: “Bridges is more than Wayne’s match as an actor. But even in his iconic roles, he’s never more or less than absolutely authentic and real-life sized.” All of those judgments, however, appear to be utter heresy to Kyle Smith in the New York Post. “It isn’t much of a contest,” he writes. “The clear winner is John Wayne, because the Coens are playing his game. The Duke couldn’t do the Coens’ sly in-jokes, but they’ve never been able to reach out and move the audience to heights of emotion.” -IMDB News

12-25-2010, 12:52 AM	#3
treky star trek fan Eternal Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Feb 25, 2002 Location: Conshohocken, pennsylvania Posts: 14,490	yes, it does look good, I'm definetaly going to go see it. When I first heard it was being made I had my doubts about it. But, after seeing the ads on TV all doubt was erased. The original one (for which John Wayne won his first and only oscar) is good (I have it on VHS) but this one looks even better!
	__________________ the Clampetts are in a fancy Beverly Hills jewelry store. Granny points to a tray of rubies. Granny: "How much fer one o' them red diamonds?" clerk: "Madam, those are rubies." Granny: "OK ask her kin we buy one offa her." clerk: " The ruby I am talking about is not a lady." Granny: "Lissen, how she got them diamonds is her business. I'm just sayin' ask her kin we buy one from her."

12-30-2010, 01:10 AM	#6
Tishawn45 Member Forum Hawk Join Date: Dec 28, 2010 Location: United States Posts: 4	One of the glories of True Grit is that it recognizes Wayne's special presence. I really enjoyed watching it.
	Last edited by Janice; 12-31-2010 at 05:38 AM.

12-30-2010, 02:19 AM	#7
MrCleveland Drew Carey from Hell Forum Star Join Date: Nov 10, 2007 Location: The City of Cleveland, in The State of Cleveland, in The United States of Cleveland Posts: 14,232	I may see this version. It may be like comparing 1925 "Ben-Hur" to 1959 "Ben-Hur"...the film was remade...but for the better...not like "The Bad News Bears"!
	__________________ Thank God for kids that love Obscure Things. Lee Hazlewood (1929-2007) You ARE Special to God! Rev. Ernest Angely (August 1921-May 2021)

12-23-2010, 06:19 AM	#2
ponytail Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Mar 20, 2004 Location: In Happy, Healthy, Wealthyville Posts: 4,273	I just might go see this movie. I love westerns and especially John Wayne. I thought I would just be comparing the two movies. But watching clips, the movie looks pretty good.

12-25-2010, 01:13 AM	#4
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	I saw both movies, and there's no comparison, in my opinion. I like Jeff Bridges as an actor, but to me, it's almost laughable to put him in John Wayne's league. John Wayne is a legend. His onscreen presence towered above the rest. He owns the role of Rooster Cogburn in much the same way that Vivien Leigh owns Scarlett O'Hara.

12-31-2010, 04:35 AM	#8
treky star trek fan Eternal Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Feb 25, 2002 Location: Conshohocken, pennsylvania Posts: 14,490	well, I'm seeing it tonight so I'll post my thoughts about it later.

01-02-2011, 10:19 PM	#9
treky star trek fan Eternal Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Feb 25, 2002 Location: Conshohocken, pennsylvania Posts: 14,490	I saw it, and think it's slightly better than the original. But I like John Waynes Rooster Cogburn better than Jeff Bridges. I agree with Janice; John Wayne was PERFECT in that role (it was written for him) just likeVivien Leigh was perfect as Scarlet O'Harra, Clark Gable was perfect as Rhett Butler, and Basil Rathbone and Jeremy Brett were perfect as Sherlock Holmes (ecspecially Jeremy Brett)

01-08-2011, 05:03 PM	#10
isiahthomas Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Aug 20, 2002 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 10,704	I might see this next weekend if it doesn't snow here. I like westerns and Jeff Bridges.

02-17-2011, 09:34 PM	#11
isiahthomas Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Aug 20, 2002 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 10,704	I saw True Grit last weekend and i liked it. I hope Jeff Bridges wins a oscar.