Another home run by the Coens

Posted by Jazz Inmate (A) on December 23, 2010 at 00:23:56

In Reply to: came out today and I saw it posted by tunenut on December 22, 2010 at 17:55:37:

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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Follow Ups Full Thread

Topic - Anyone seen an advance screening of True Grit? - Postal Grunt 19:45:30 12/19/10 (23)

an average effort by the Coen brothers, so still worthwhile IMO - PhilJ 11:27:56 12/24/10 (0)

Saw it last night... - Dalton 00:16:02 12/24/10 (4)

It's very common to underestimate a Coen bros film on first viewing - Jazz Inmate 14:46:55 12/24/10 (3)

RE: It's very common to underestimate a Coen bros film on first viewing - Dalton 16:12:43 12/24/10 (2)

RE: It's very common to underestimate a Coen bros film on first viewing - Jazz Inmate 22:43:40 12/27/10 (0)

Very, very well-written and thought out responses! ABSOLUTE - tinear 09:00:52 12/27/10 (0)

came out today and I saw it - tunenut 17:55:37 12/22/10 (4)

Thanks for that. Can't wait to see it. (nt) - reelsmith. 07:39:57 12/23/10 (0)

Another home run by the Coens - Jazz Inmate 00:23:56 12/23/10 (2)

Saw it Xmas day in Carmel, IN - SOLD OUT. - Harmonia 16:59:59 12/28/10 (1)

RE: Saw it Xmas day in Carmel, IN - SOLD OUT. - Vinylized 09:48:15 01/03/11 (0)

Looks pretty promising... - musetap 15:48:18 12/20/10 (0)

Word is they're as true to it as they were to "No Country..." nt - tinear 12:57:38 12/20/10 (0)

has all the earmarks of a classic Coen bros outing - Jazz Inmate 10:39:28 12/20/10 (0)

Newsweek said... - mkuller 20:17:08 12/19/10 (8)

As good as the book? - Peter Breuninger 05:13:54 12/21/10 (0)

Gee - The Godfather, The Graduate, Goldfinger ... - musetap 21:35:39 12/20/10 (1)

No James Bond film approaches the book upon which it is based. The formulaic 15-minute cavalry charge at the - tinear 07:56:07 12/21/10 (0)

'Blade Runner' - Tony D. 17:18:09 12/20/10 (1)

RE: 'Blade Runner' - user510 18:52:47 12/21/10 (0)

Where the Wild Things Are (NT) - tunenut 14:19:38 12/20/10 (2)

Agreed... - mkuller 16:10:33 12/20/10 (1)

arguably A Clockword Orange... - tunenut 16:46:06 12/20/10 (0)

Follow Ups

Another home run by the Coens - Jazz Inmate 00:23:56 12/23/10 (2)

Saw it Xmas day in Carmel, IN - SOLD OUT. - Harmonia 16:59:59 12/28/10 (1)

RE: Saw it Xmas day in Carmel, IN - SOLD OUT. - Vinylized 09:48:15 01/03/11 (0)

Another home run by the Coens

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