Like Grits

I have never been a fan of Westerns. Maybe because I am too fey for it? I, also, have never been a fan of the Coen Brothers' movies. Something about their wit is so pretentious for my tastes that I just don't get them. I respect them and the people who stand by their work, but I have tried and tried, and can only shrug and say, "not for me." So I do not know why I sat through 100 or so minutes of their remake of "True Grit."  I did not enjoy any minute of it. Well, that may be a bit of a stretch: I liked the Iris DeMent song that was played over the closing titles. 


Hailee Steinfeld plays Mattie Ross, who hires Rooster Cogburn (Jeff Bridges) to avenge the death of her father. I know some people have raised 14 year old Ms. Steinfeld to high heavens, but he just did not do it for me. Her performance, for me, was akin to a 14 year old playing dress up as a cowgirl. I never believed it. Since this movie is doing so well, a lot of people are betting that she wins the Supporting Actress Oscar, and I hope not. For her to beat Melissa Leo would be unthinkable. But back to the movie, I also think Jeff Bridges gives one of the worst performances of 2010. You can barely understand a word he is saying between the grumps and mumblings. That's pretty weird considering a lot of people commend the Coens for the wit of their screenplay. How will we hear it when it is mumbled? 


So call me grumpy, call me fairy. This just doesn't work for me. "True Grits," for me is like eating grits" rough and tasteless.