It wouldn't have made sense to see the new version of "True Grit" without first seeing the original. John Wayne won the Oscar for his role as a no-nonsense Marshall taking The West by force. The movie also featured Glen Campbell and at the time people marveled that Campbell was as good an actor as he turned out to be. Campbell was humble and attributed any ability he displayed to being on the screen with "The Duke". That's a gentleman - you can't find that as much nowadays.
The new movie is a closer interpretation to the actual book than the John Wayne version, which ends in Hollywood sunshine when compared to this latest version.
The main character, a take charge teen-ager with a pocket full of greenbacks and a realization that money doesn't grow on trees. Her father has been killed by his servant while away from home. The teen-ager comes to prod the local law to arrest the man she knows is responsible. This is the story of a little girl who's a little too grown for her own good, and the audience knows that, but its clear the little girl telling the story does not.
The girl single handedly puts together a posse of three that rattle the Indian territory and shake loose a murderous vermin, bring together a group of lifelong friends, but ends in difficulty for a child who learns too late that revenge sometimes exacts a horrible, however necessary, price.
Jeff Bridges does a great job as the new Rooster Cogburn, and the Duke would have been proud. Matt Damon is lost in the Glen Campbell role - Glen maintained his cool good looks on the screen. Matt is covered in a scrawny beard and ugly scowl that make it impossible to see him as possible crush character for impressionable Mattie.
The story is compelling because the child's sense of purpose suspends your disbelief regarding what kids were capable of in, and yet it reminds you that childhood is still difficult for many children who are made to grow up too fast and too soon to understand the livelong consequences of their actions. The movie may still romanticize the old west, but its just harsh enough to make you grateful you were born in a different day.
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