True Grit - It's Coen Brothers' Work!

(2010) ★★★☆☆

Coen brothers' films are almost like a famous brand: its price may not equal its value, but you're convinced that they are by no means lousy, and definitely worth a checkout. The truth is, they're the masters of film noir. Critics love them. Film festivals find it hard to resist them. Their works could be the teaching materials for film students. They're nonetheless too deep for me. 'Blood Simple' and 'No Country For Old Men' did sweep me off my feet, but that's all.

Don't worry. 'True Grit' is not at all a bad film. The score is excellent. The dialogues are funny and crafted though they seem rough and improvised. The pace's a bit dragged but acceptable. Jeff Bridges is simply brilliant, drunk and consciously smart at the same time. Hailee Steinfeld's Mattie Ross is wow... I've got to hand it to her. The only thing that upsets me is that the story lacks sensations. There's nothing special about it. The characters do a lot of talking rather than exchange gunfire. The trailer may've convinced you that this is a typical western film like any other, but it is not, you know, it's Coen Brothers' work. You can trust me on one thing tough. If you like Client Eastwood's 'Unforgiven', you'd probably like this one too.

'True Grit' has got 10 nominations for this year's Academy Award, including Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best Director, etc. I don't think it's going to pull off any except Best Supporting Actress for Hailee Steinfeld. Although Jeff Bridges is great, the Academy won't let him get 2 in a row I guess. As for Best Picture and Best Director, either 'The Social Network' or 'The King's Speech' will grab them, or they may get to share them. Is 'True Grit' an overrated film? Is it really that perfect like most of the critics say it is? Go check it out for yourself.