True Grit ~ grumble grumble grumble...

Having seen many parts of the original True Grit with John Wayne, and never actually seeing the movie in its entirety, when the remake came out, I thought it would be cool to see the newer version to get the complete story. Now that my kids are getting old enough to be able to entertain themselves, I’m able to catch up on many of the DVDs that were released, but I missed the opportunity to watch.

This remake doesn’t deviate much from the original. Rooster Cogburn (Jeff Bridges) is a US Marshall in a time where it didn’t take much to be a lawman except being tough. He’s a drunkard, shady, and mean cuss who is used to doing whatever it takes to get the job done.

Mattie Ross (Hailee Steinfeld) is a headstrong 14 year old girl coming to town to settle her murdered father’s affairs. She wants his death avenged and is willing to hire just about anyone to do it. Texas Ranger LaBoeuf (Matt Damon) has also come to town tracking down the same man but for a different murder. The trio of undesirable companions head out to bring the man to justice.

I’ve been a fan of westerns for some time, but my tastes tend to stay in the Clint Eastwood realm. This movie is watchable but annoying at times. When I watch movies, I want to be entertained. If the movie is authentically done, so be it, but it should still keep the audience interested. What turned me of about the original is that the script avoided contractions. You know, can not instead of can’t, will not instead of won’t. The remake is exactly the same, and for me sounded clumsy.

I know the rules of grammar were different back then in the Wild West, and even back in 1969 when the first True Grit came out, but it sure did distract me from the movie. Bridges grumbling the lines of Cogburn didn’t help either. Apparently he wanted to sound gruff, but I missed a few words here and there because he never really opened his mouth when he spoke.

Can someone PLEASE give Matt Damon a good part? I know I’m (see the contraction?) not the only one who felt a bit uncomfortable when the Texas Ranger wanted to kiss the 14 year old girl. He’s nothing like Sgt. Cordell Walker (of Walker, Texas Ranger) so I guess I’m jaded. Glenn Campbell played the original LeBoeuf, which is why he’s known for his singing and not acting.

Off to the “Meh” file with this movie. Someone else may get it, like it, some will stay away because of their loyalty to John Wayne, I was hoping for more, not the same ol’ same ol’.