Movie Review - “True Grit”
John Wayne, or “The Duke” as he's known to us old guys, was a masterful cowboy actor. He could put on a brilliant performance of toughness and skill on a horse and with guns of all sizes. John Wayne’s performances left audiences breathless and other actors wanting.
And so, when I went to see the movie “True Grit” – the new version, I was a little worried that I wouldn’t like it. I was however, not even slightly disappointed. In truth, I was delighted. I was entertained. I laughed and I felt like I was along for the ride as I watched the drama play out. The acting was fantastic and the characters memorable. My only disappointment was the way the movie ended. In the middle of the movie, I picked up on what I thought was some foreshadowing – but it turned out not to be anything at all. Now it’s only fair that I tell you that it’s been decades since I saw the original John Wayne version of this story. Perhaps that movie ended in the same way – and if it did, then that would make my next comment a little mute. But for what it’s worth, the ending of this new version left me wanting. To me, the final minutes of this new movie just didn’t seem to match the rest of the story. In fact, the way the new “True Grit” ended made me feel like the story was a meaningless tragedy. I have a soft spot for happy endings, and I was disappointed. However, other than the disappointing ending, I thought the show was awesome.
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3 comments:
I'm with you Davis. I didn't care for the ending of the latest True Grit at all. I understand they tried to stay true to the book. That's all well and good. But they are very different mediums. What works in a book may not work in a movie. I'll take John Wayne jumping a horse over a fence any day.
Sounds good to me - pilgrim!
In 1972 (I think it was), John Wayne visited the tiny coastal town of Ocean Falls in his yacht. One of my older sisters worked at the fuel dock and fuelled his boat. While she was working, Mr Wayne's guys went up into town, to the only bar in a hundred miles, and bought all the booze they had in stock. I was disappointed that my sister never got to meet John Wayne and the local beer drinkers were even more upset!
I guess when you re-make a movie there is considerable pressure to make it unique. The other day, however, I happened on the final few minutes of the original movie "True Grit" and was much happier with the way it ended.
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