Posted on 02/11/2012 7:35:30 PM PST by WilliamIII
The two versions of "True Grit" are like Athens, Greece, and Athens, Georgia: They've got the same name, but they're in totally different worlds. Yet for all their differences, both Westerns found plenty of fans and got plenty of Oscar attention. John Wayne was named Best Actor for the 1969 original, and the 2010 remake, directed by the Coen brothers, competes for 10 Oscars on Feb. 27, including Best Picture and Best Director. So which movie is better? Take a look at these comparisons and decide which version you think is the truest … and the grittiest.
(Excerpt) Read more at today.msnbc.msn.com ...
They were also much less free in sharing confidences than modern people are.
“The side conversation about instant grits as opposed to the real thing actually reflects the conversation about the movie.”
You got that right. So does your acking friend at the thought of instant grits. Do they drink Sanka with that?.
I’ve go to go against the current here. As much as I am a fan of the Duke’s, I’m also a fan of the Dude’s.
On almost every level I have to go with the Coen Brothers. Cinematography, acting, score, pacing all go to the Coen Brothers.
Cinematography: This may be tightest contest between the two films, but Roger Deaken’s use of the camera in the Coen Brother’s film is masterful and honest. Of course, one will always marvel at the absolutely stunning landscapes of the original (Lucien Ballard) , but it’s kind of hard to screw up spectacular scenes of the Colorado Rockies. One just has to wonder how the crew managed to wander so far from Arkansas and Oklahoma in the first place. Were they totally lost, or were they going for a cheap thrill?
Acting: Hailee Steinfeld’s Mattie Ross is deeper, more nuanced, and more engaging than Kim Darby’s. It’s kind of hard for a 22 year old to come off as a believable 14 year-old, and in Kim Darby’s case she didn’t manage to pull it off. Steinfeld is heading directly to the Best Supporting Actress Oscar.
And whatever you want to say about Matt Damon’s LeBoeuf, nothing could be worse than the acting butchery of Glen Campbell.
I don’t think it’s useful to make comparisons between John Wayne and Jeff Bridges in the Rooster Cogburn role. One’s an actor and the other is, well, he’s John Wayne. You either buy into the deal or you don’t.
Score: Elmer Berstein may your cup of tea, and his overproduced, blowsey score may just light your fire. Not mine. I found Carter Burwell’s score, based around the haunting melody of “Leaning of the Everlasting Arms” always appropriate, always adding to and never detracting from the development of the story.
Pacing: The original unquestionably drags in places as the director struggled to get Wayne more time onscreen by having him ride his horse hither and yon. The Coen brothers didn’t need to cater to Wyane’s ego and hence could keep the film moving nicely along its story arc.
Agreed. I loved Lonesome Dove. And ESPECIALLY loved Open Range. If you haven’t seen Open Range I highly recommend it. I love Westerns and that one makes a strong play for my favorite.
As opposed to those group dives, sort of like synchronized swimming?
The original will still be an admired classic 20, 40, 80 years from now. Though an OK movie, The remake will be forgotten in 10.
Very true. My grandmother never talked about personal problems of any kind, even when she was on death’s door. I remember a story that she told to me about the time a man with a lot of money came into the bank where she was working.
This was in Nebraska around 1909. She was working in her Uncle’s bank, as one of the first female tellers ever. A man with long grey hair walked in and slapped a $1,000 bill on the counter and asked if she could make change. She replied “Oh Sir, I have never even seen a $1,000 bill in my life!” The man was William F. Cody, Buffalo Bill.
You owe me a keyboard!
I’ve seen them both. If the 1969 version had never been made the 2010 movie would have won oscars too. As it is though, John Wayne simply overshadowed the newer version.
:-)
“John Wayne”was a huge movie character, like”Cary Grant.” Can you think of any modern actor who is that “large.”?
ugh. I’d do without grits before I’d eat instant!
AND you’re a FReeper. Man, you is famous! (or should be)
Yeah, but does your friend get mega-points for being a FReeper as well??
One had The Duke. One didn’t. Although I really really enjoyed the remake, I have to go with John wayne.
LOL!
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