First let’s deal with my resolution. While I really enjoy writing this Blog it does feel at times like no one is really out there. A good friend of mine suggested I write something very opinionated and see if it stirred up more comments. Funny I thought most people would already say that I was very opinionated. Hmmm? Any way the truth is I have lacked the discipline during the past few months to keep this blog up to date. In an effort to restructure portions of my life I neglected my writing. Bringing us to my new year’s resolution.
“I will be more diligent to make regular posts here on the Word 7 Blog as well as my other writing commitments.”
No Excuses! You Jack Wagon!
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Next we will post more fun stuff this year. One reason is that it is a lot easier to shoot out a fun blog than to produce serious material. Therefore it will be easier for me to post more often! Ha Ha isn’t it funny how easy it is for our human nature to start scheming. Sorry it appears I inadvertently slipped a serious thought in here.
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Now for the first of the FUN Stuff, my Review of TRUE GRIT.
I must admit I was shocked when I seen the first trailer advertising the remake of this iconic movie. Not only were they taking on a huge movie but they were daring to take on the role of Rooster Cogburn which was portrayed in the original by what could be argued as the biggest western movie star of all times “John Wayne”! What were they thinking?
While my kids were in town for the holidays we made a date to all go see the movie together. While waiting for it to start I realized that while I am an avid fan of western movies my children, now all adults (by status of their age at least), had very little knowledge of the icon that was “John Wayne”. So our expectations of what we were about to see were very different. While I was skeptical, they were just hoping to be entertained.
Now it is time to confess that the movie exceeded my expectations. I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed the movie, well up to a point! First let me say that I loved the performance of Hailee Steinfeld and I am sure we will be seeing more of this young lady. The man with the biggest risk Jeff Bridges turned in a performance that did not encourage any comparison to “The Duke” by making the character of Rooster Cogburn his own. Matt Damon seemed a little weird at times but I would say this is due in part to the character he is portraying. You have to remember that this part played by Glen Campbell in the original was a bit strange also.
Now for the problem! I enjoyed the subtle story twists and changes from the original story. Some of them made the story more believable for today’s movie goers. But while we were winding down the film and I was beginning to think “Wow They Did It”, and even considering that this movie too might become iconic, it suddenly all went horribly wrong! Instead of simply ending the story someone in a moment of complete stupidity decided to ignore the stories ending and give us instead an ending for each of the characters.
Why should we care that Rooster comes to the end of his life years later while part of a Wild West show. Are we really to believe that the Texas Ranger simply rode off to other adventures without ever following the two people, he had just saved, into town? And resourceful Mattie, she suddenly decided to not see something through to the end because she lost her hand? The ending ruined the whole movie. I believe it will now fade away as just another western, perhaps even damaging the reputation of the original. While I have watched the original many times and plan to again, I see no reason to watch this movie again knowing that the “story” was left without a proper end.
What did you Think?
