So, I hear that the Coen Brothers are remaking the John Wayne classic TRUE GRIT, with Jeff Bridges in the John Wayne role.
I've got to say, I'm a little conflicted about this. On the one hand, I think the Brothers Coen are absolute geniuses, and I think if anyone can do a good job, it's them.
On the other hand, why remake a movie that's already a classic? And do they really think The Dude can deliver one of my favorite bad-ass movie lines as well as the Duke? You know the line I mean...
"FILL YOUR HANDS, YOU SON OF A BITCH! "
Sigh. I dunno...
8 comments:
The Coen brothers are certainly fearless and take plenty of risks.
When they hit it right it's right but when they miss they really miss.
Still, if this gets a new generation interested in John Wayne movies that would be a good thing.
I understand your concerns. I, frankly, share them. In general, I'm not keen on remakes of great movies. Most of the time, they end up being subpar. I think more than the Coen brothers being involved, it's the casting of Jeff Bridges that gives me some hope that this may not be a terrible disaster.
And, as John McFetridge said, anything that gets a new generation involved in John Wayne movies is, ultimately, a good thing.
I've always wondered how a man with an eyepatch could shoot straight, given that his depth perception would have been nil. But the genre is ripe for humor, so maybe the Coens have an angle on it.
As you said if anyone can do it the Coens can. But I too have an aversion to fixing things that aren't broke. But it seems Hollywood is out of ideas and it will be remade anyway, why not give a fighting chance to be right. If they go at it from a "No Country For Old Men" angle it could be quite chilling.
They are my favorite writer/directors and theirs are often the few movies I try to see in the theater because they are geniuses.
Now if they go after "The Seachers" we might have fight on our hands!
Go see Crazy Heart, I think you may change your mind.
JD,
One thing that is worth keeping in mind is that this will not be just like the original movie.
It is going to attempt to follow the original Charles Portis' novel much closer and will be more from the perspective of the young girl. In other words, it is not so much a remake as it is another film that is based on the same novel.
I'll be interested to see the Coen's take on the story. I remember reading the book after seeing the movie, and being surprised at how different the novel and the film were.
And that scene is one of my top ten all-time favorites ;-)
I love the Coens and trust them with any material. Hell, who could have thought they'd remake Homer with O Brother?
It'll be a different movie, for sure.
But that was a great clip to start they day with. Thanks, Dusty.
Post a Comment