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came out today and I saw it

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In Reply to: RE: Anyone seen an advance screening of True Grit? posted by Postal Grunt on December 19, 2010 at 19:45:30

This is fine, as one would expect from the Coen Brothers. It is played straight, rather unusually for them, but all the elements are done in fine style. The dialogue is baroque and complex, putting me in mind of the Deadwood series, although no curse words here due to PG-13. The performances are uniformly excellent, both Bridges as the tough dissolute marshall and the girl are likely to fare well in award season. Everybody pretty much knows this story, just the classic Western setup, the ride for revenge. The cinematography is excellent, winter landscapes. If it's not the best of the Coens, well that's probably because they do play it straight, there are no ambiguities or oddball twists. I imagine this will be a holiday smash, the first showing of the day was already quite full.

Follow Ups:

Thanks for that. Can't wait to see it. (nt) - reelsmith. 07:39:57 12/23/10 (0)
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reelsmith's axiom: Its going to be used equipment when I sell it, so it may as well be used equipment when I buy it.
Another home run by the Coens - Jazz Inmate 00:23:56 12/23/10 (2)
I saw it earlier today and this is a clear sign of the Coens' maturity. Where earlier in their career they'd compromise the integrity of the story by focusing on quirky elements of the characters, they play it straighter, as you say. But the great gift of the Coens is to make the unexpected happen very quickly and powerfully. There are several instances of this power in True Grit--in the writing as well as the violence. This movie is executed flawlessly in every way, including cinematography by the great Roger Deakins. By far the best film I saw in 2010. How the Coens manage to churn out films of this calibur proves their place as the greatest filmmakers currently working. They make everyone in Hollywood from Scorcese on down seem like hacks.
Unlike your theater, the big AMC here was virtually empty for the 4:50 showing. Not surprising as the Coens are perennially critically acclaimed but not the biggest box office draws. As with their other films, this will fare better on home video than in the box office and viewers will not understand quite how perfect this film is until they've seen it a few times. I love how the Coens are maturing as they get older. I'm sure they will bring many quirky films to the screen, but as with No Country for Old Men, they gave it a rest for True Grit. This is a welcome western done more traditionally and done to perfection.
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We must be the change we wish to see in the world. -Gandhi

Edits: 12/23/10 12/23/10
- Saw it Xmas day in Carmel, IN - SOLD OUT. - Harmonia 16:59:59 12/28/10 (1)
  Maybe becuase it was Xmas, but Grit was playing on 2 screens in large auditoriums and all showings up through 4:30 were sold out.
  
  I agree with you, I think it's a fine film. I much prefer it to the more acclaimed Social Network, as uncool as some people will find that.
  - RE: Saw it Xmas day in Carmel, IN - SOLD OUT. - Vinylized 09:48:15 01/03/11 (0)
    Not "uncool" in the least (AFAIAC). It's obviously debatable how necessary the Coen Bros. remake is/was, much less so with 'The Social Network'.

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