Format: Two-disc Blu-ray/DVD/Digital Copy
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Written and Directed by: Joel and Ethan Coen
Starring: Jeff Bridges, Matt Damon, Josh Brolin, Barry Pepper, Hailee Steinfeld
Studio: Paramount
Film Rating: 
Blu-ray Rating:
Review by: Bill Jones
The Film
True Grit is a solid film, but one I feel did not to be made for a number of reasons. The original was one of the most acclaimed John Wayne films around, and it’s a story that seemingly doesn’t need or warrant the Coen Brothers’ unique brand of humor. And ultimately, while I like the movie, I don’t love it.
Jeff Bridges is an acting force in the movie. Matt Damon does some interesting things with his character. And Hailee Steinfeld is absolutely fantastic as Mattie Ross. But it doesn’t all seem to add up in my book. It just amounts to a lot of entertaining parts that don’t really combine to form a fantastic film.
The story of a U.S. Marshal with a questionable reputation named Rooster Cogburn (Bridges) helping the stubborn Ross hunt down her father’s murderer, Tom Chaney (Josh Brolin), is a fascinating concept. But again, the Coen Brothers’ True Grit it somehow feels ill-paced and off key all around, and I very much dislike the epilogue. In short, I love the Coen Brothers, but I can’t seem to make myself True Grit. Maybe I just don’t understand what they’re trying to say by remaking this film, but I suspect I’m not alone in that train of thought. Still, film buffs looking for an off-beat Western would do well to give it a try.
The Blu-ray
The Blu-ray for True Grit offers more than most Coen releases, though. There’s still no commentary, of course, but the Blu-ray offers plenty of fascinating behind-the-scenes featurettes, from the characters, to the clothes, to the guns, the fort, the writer and the cinematography. The sound and visuals are both solid, and Disc 2 features DVD and Digital Copies of the film. All in all, fans should enjoy the solid release it received.
For more info, truegritmovie.com
Pads & Panels received a copy of the Blu-ray courtesy of the studio for review purposes.
Print This Post