True Grit (1969) Directed by Henry Hathaway
 |
| Photo credit: talkiegazette.com |
VS
True Grit (2010) Directed by Ethan and Joel Cohen
 |
| Photo credit: silverscreeningreviews.com |
The story in the two films remained the same; a young girl, Maddie Ross, hires a U.S Marshall to search for the man who killed her father. So let's look at the contrast in characters.
There's more to be debated, but since the film's main focus is the relationship between Rooster and Maddie, I decided to focus on their characters only. I encourage you to watch both versions and decide for yourself!
Maddie Ross
In the original version, Maddie (played by Kim Darby) seems much younger, she's just a teenage girl after all. She's still fiery and independent, but we know the entire time that she's still just a child. She makes decisions like a child would and we don't see malice or a longing for vengeance in her. In the newer version however, Maddie (played by Hailee Steinfeld) seems much older and more vengeful. She still has that spark of independence, but she also has more wit and what seems like a downright bloodlust. The original Maddie just wants to find her fathers killer, the new Maddie wants to find him and kill him with her own bare hands. The difference the era they were made could attribute to this grittier interpretation, but it makes Steinfeld's performance more compelling.
Rooster Cogburn
This is where the comparisons get, for lack of a better term, sticky. In the original, Rooster is played by the legend, John Wayne. John Wayne is usually the first person anyone thinks of when they think western and for good reason, the guy was a modern cowboy at the time. In the newer version however, we have Jeff Bridges, who happens to be a personal favorite of mine. Bridges's performance keeps the rough exterior, but still is able to convey the side of Rooster who really cares for Maddie over the course of their journey. John Wayne does a good job of being, well, John Wayne playing rough and tough Rooster Cogburn. Bridges's performance adds a certain element to Steinfeld's performance while Darby's performance falls a little flat.
The Winner... The New!!
 |
| Photo credit: webmasteruj.pl |
There's more to be debated, but since the film's main focus is the relationship between Rooster and Maddie, I decided to focus on their characters only. I encourage you to watch both versions and decide for yourself!
Once again this is another film that I've heard of but never viewed. Sounds like a very captivating story with strong acting. I liked how you compared the original to the remake. I often find myself comparing characters when I'm trying to decide which version of something was better, especially in theatre productions.
ReplyDeleteCouldn't agree with you more, unfortunately the only ideas that are being used in Hollywood are recycled ones. I don't mind as long as there is a major gap in between reproductions like True Grit, its one of the best westerns of all time! Also having Matt Damon and Josh Brolin to fill out the cast only makes the film 10 times better than the original.
ReplyDeleteThough I haven't had a chance to see the newest True Grit, it's been on my list for awhile. I'll pretty much watch anything that has Jeff Bridges. I'm always a sucker for the original classics, though!
ReplyDeleteJohn Wayne is just one of the classics that is extremely hard to beat. My favorite performance by him is in Cowboys. It's always interesting to compare the old and new, though.
ReplyDelete