TRUE GRIT (2010) - 4 STARS

"Punishment comes one way or another"

My career in film journalism has seen me attempting to watch various films through many different types of genre and lately I've been intrigued by the Western genre. No one can hold a torch to the likes of Gary Cooper, John Wayne and Clint Eastwood as the stars of those films involving cowboys and Indians but modern cinema has been distancing itself from that genre in recent times. However I finally watched my first western at the cinema recently in the shape of a remake (the horror!) of one of Wayne's classics TRUE GRIT which finally breaks the tradition of remakes flopping with a clinical piece of film-making by the Coen Brothers. Normally they are hit and miss for me, but they have made a beautifully intelligent yet dark adaptation that proves that the western isn't dead just yet!

  

For those of you who've seen the original, you'll get the picture of the story, but for those who don't here's my usual plot explanation. In the old west, teenage girl Mattie Ross (newcomer Hailee Steinfeld) is distraught when her father is murdered by a cowardly man who he gave work to, Tom Chaney (Josh Brolin) who is now on the run. She seeks the help of a professional gun-slinger to track down Chaney and bring him to justice, but the best person she can find is drunken but vicious veteran Rooster Cogburn (Jeff Bridges). Despite his no-nonsense approach to confronting criminals, Mattie knows that she has the right man to do the job but is irritated by his solo ideas as well as his obsession with booze. She soon comes across another professional gunman, naive Texan ranger LaBeouf (Matt Damon) who wants Chaney for murdering a governor in another state but Mattie is determined to get Rooster to find Chaney and have him punished at her local town. However her stubbornness gets the better of her as Rooster and LaBeouf go off together leading to her pursuing them and tagging along. Chaney is mixing in with notorious Ned Pepper (Barry Pepper) and his gang and the unlikely trio find themselves facing a huge quest in finding the gang while also realizing that their own 'grit' will be tested. Ultimately as things look bleak in the search, Mattie eventually gets captured by Chaney and the others leading to a ferocious showdown that could change everything for the heroes in their future lives.

Firstly what makes this film different to the original is the fact it is adaptated strongly from Charles Portis's novel allowing the story to be more reserved and closely binded with various references to the original still intact e.g. similar shots and scenes as well as various dialogue "One-eyed fat man" exchange as well as being more violent hence the 15 rating. The dialogue in True Grit sounds completely authentic along with the accurate-feeling costume and set design, which really adds to the realism of the world it creates creates. Accents are also very important – the harsh Southern drawl that the Coens have always been attracted to is very prominent and plays a very large role in the film. It also looks incredibly beautiful, mainly thanks to regular cinematographer Roger Deakins' whose trademarks are in place: harsh but very naturalistic lighting, washed-out colors, especially in the outdoor scenes and smooth camera movements. And the action scenes are exciting to watch even if you do have to wait for some thrills, though the gritty, loud gun sounds definitely would have suited the big screen experience if I'd have lived in the times of Wayne and Eastwood. Also importantly the acting in this version is a lot better than the original; Jeff Bridges makes his triumphant return in a Coen brothers film, filling the very large shoes of John Wayne, who gave an iconic performance as Rooster in the first adaptation from 1969. He brings his own unique style and sensibilities to the role, combining his drunken goofiness with the seriousness of a skilled hunter and lawman. Damon is clearly having fun with the role, as he finds an excellent balance between the humor and the seriousness and skill his character has crushing Glen Campbell's rather wooden portrayal in the original. Josh Brolin is also effective in an otherwise limited role as Chaney adding cynicism and a freaky presence to the character trying to hide out. But newcomer Hailee Steinfeld, is the ultimate standout proving she is a talent to watch, and a hidden beauty that will be unleashed in a few year's time when she could be Hollywood's next best thing. She commands the screen with her strong-willed, stubborn character, and manages to hold her own against her more experienced co-stars. Could she win the Supporting Actress Oscar? We shall see. 

Though it does well to look good and have a terrific cast, there will be audiences that'll be less patient with various scenes that tend to drag for a long time. It takes at least 1/3 into the film before the trio set off to find Chaney and the way it was advertised as a fast-flowing thriller could prove a disappointment for those wanting to be energized by its action-packed approach. Some moments from the original are sadly snubbed from this version whether it be Mattie's home life or the lawyer references which is still used here but the reveal of whether he exists or not is reduced to a brief mention in a letter near the start of the film taking away the magic of the original. And though some will be iffy about the cheesy ending of the original, this version ends rather disappointing too with a concluding scene of Mattie as an adult not really adding much to end the film's story and really it leaves us a bit deflated about the character's fates (most of the endings in their films tend to end frustratingly). However for a first time experience of watching a western in the cinema, it really was something to enjoy, and this is certainly one of the Coen's best. And nothing more you could want especially if you watch it with a grandparent like I did, a mesmerizing and beautifully made Western with good ol' storytelling!

THE FIGHTER (2010) - 4 STARS

"I'm the one who's fighting. Not you, not you, and not you"

Though boxing has never been one of my favourite sports in life, it plays a huge role in major sports films being successful, originally starting with Sylvester Stallone's popular Rocky franchise followed by Martin Scorsese's masterpiece Raging Bull (1980) and continuing to attract Hollywood names like Denzil Washington, Russell Crowe and Clint Eastwood. This trend of the rags-to-riches story continues with David O. Russell's gritty but terrific flick The Fighter which becomes the latest boxing film to attract big names to the genre and allow the audience to be intrigued by a gutsy true-life story worthy of the Hollywood makeover and overshadow other sports like football which have never done as well on the big screen.

Set between the late 1980's and early 90s, the film chronicles the story of Mickey Ward (Mark Wahlberg) whose ambition in life was to take a title shot and become a champion. However having been raised in a tough neighborhood in Boston with an over supportive family to grind him down, Mickey's dream faced serious doubts. Though he gained training backup from his brother Dicky (Christian Bale), a former boxer who defeated Sugar Ray Leonard, Mickey knows it's time for a change if he expects to make a serious impact in the boxing world having been held back too long now being in his early 30's. Things are further complicated with Dicky now an addicted drug-addict who lets Mickey down during training sessions, while the pair's mother Alice (Melissa Leo) becomes too protective of them unaware that Mickey wants a change in his boxing career as well as Dicky's addiction. Ultimately Mickey meets feisty waitress Charlene (Amy Adams) and falls in love with her but clearly his family disapprove of the relationship which becomes evident when he loses a crucial boxing fight. He is, however, given another opportunity of having a title shot on condition he ditches his family's support and undergo new management which isn't approved well by the family. Dicky soon ends up in prison but it doesn't stop Mickey from getting his career back on track as he wins several matches before facing the most important fight of his career but as it approaches, will he have the support of his family or has everything already fallen apart past the point of being repaired?

Having been involved with controversy in his career, director David O. Russell has silenced his critics by making a fascinating and tough film, that continues to carry the popular tradition of boxing films and allow it to become a contender in its own way when it comes to the award season. His characters have a harsh reality to them, in addition to looks, clothes and mannerisms, Russell chooses a more hand-held documentary feel for the film and even opts to film parts of the boxing sequences with lenses like the ones used in the late '90s to give the feel of watching a live broadcast. The solid cast also plays its part in one of the most effective ensembles of the year and sees great performances from everyone. It produces one of Mark Wahlberg's most reserved and complex roles to date as Micky who has an unbreakable devotion to his family, which both strengthens and cripples him. Amy Adams's character, seems to want nothing more than to be with Mickey but is also relying on his success to be the ticket to her bettering her life, her sassy but foul-mouthed performance is completely opposite to her delightful, lovable role in Enchanted (2007), though at least her roles are becoming more varied. Melissa Leo turns in an emotionally powerful performance as you can tell she only wants the best for her family, does everything within her power to do just that, and still seems to wind up hurting them in the long run. It'll be interesting whether she does go on to win the Supporting Actress Oscar though Adams may cause disruption for her in that category. Even Jack McGee as the father of the family gives an assured and badly underrated performance that should really got more attention as his character keeps the supporting people together. However the real winner in the acting stakes though goes to Christian Bale  who physically transformed himself for the part, and wows us not by focusing on theatrical mannerisms or wallowing in melodrama the way most actors would have, but by revealing the person behind the addiction; he plays Dicky Eklund, not a drug addict. Like Leo, he too gives an award-winning performance that continues to help his hectic career through his many physical changes. As with the story, the chemistry between the actors in the family as they mix in well with the little bits of humor thrown in for good measure amongst all of the brawling and knockout punches, it really is easy to get lost in the film.

However with boxing films, The Fighter doesn't quite hit the emotional mark when it comes to the triumphant rags-to-riches story like Rocky or Cinderella Man, once we get to the ending, we aren't cheering as much for Micky as we would for say, Rocky Balboa or Jimmy Braddock, though at least the emotional core of the film is settled for the family scenes. You also can't help but feel that the film is just too foul-mouthed to really stand out with audiences and although it may be set in a tough environment, some of the swearing is a bit too unnecessary, Amy Adam's character, the surprisingly most guilty of the characters in that department. And as most other people have commented, the sisters in the Ward/Ecklund family are too much stereotyped as bitchy hags who spend most of the film sniping at Charlene and not being hugely supportive towards Mickey on his way to championship glory. Overall some electriying performances and a productive story prove key in helping The Fighter continue the great tradition of other boxing films making us aware that everyone deserves a second chance, and the chance to be great, a knockout this film certainly is!