BLOGS

Written by Robin Bell

The Coen Brothers are without doubt cinematic geniuses, but the last time they attempted a remake was the ill-fated Ladykillers starring Tom Hanks. Does their second attempt to remake a classic fare any better with their new version of True Grit?

The reviews would certainly suggest that they've pulled it off, and to an extent they have. The film looks brilliant – with Roger Deakins as cinematographer how could it be any different – and Jeff Bridges' performance is amazing. But much like their recent classic No Country for Old Men, it left me cold.

One problem is that the unlikely comradeship between the two characters didn't quite seem to gel, perhaps requiring more screen time devoted to exploring the relationship between this young girl and her father. Although perhaps that would have all been in vain; I have to say that I couldn't shake the feeling that Hailee Stanfield's character was really rather annoying and better suited to one of the precocious little tykes in the Narnia franchise. Coincidentally I had the same sentiments about Kim Darby in the original film, so I'll grudgingly give the Coens some credit for getting that one right!

Luckily midway through the film, the attention shifts to focus upon Jeff Bridges character, and this section of the film fully engrossed me. As did a mid section action shoot out sequence, but sadly the pace slowed, my interest waned, and after a prolonged 'twenty five years later' epilogue I left the cinema utterly deflated.

As I also did when leaving The King's Speech, but that's a story for another time, and the amount of love being shown for it at the moment I might be beheaded for expressing my opinion!