I saw True Grit at the United Artist Pequa Theatre in the fall of 1969. It was the first John Wayne movie I saw in a movie theatre. The movie about a young girl who journey's into the Indian country with a U.S. Marshall and a Texas Ranger to avenge the murder of her father, was simple enough for a nine year old to follow and enjoy. As an adult I have come to appreciate the film for John Wayne's career defining performance and the film's subtle humor.
True Grit gave us a very different John Wayne. He had aged and his severe illness in 1964 gave him a haggard, world worn look. His performance as the one-eyed Marshall Rooster Cogburn became a film icon.
The movie is based on the book of the same name by Charles Portis, published in 1968. The focus of the book was the Mattie Ross character, the stories protagonist and heroine, played by Kim Darby in the film. But once the role of the Marshall was given to Wayne, the focus of the film shifted to highlight the Rooster Cogburn character. Wayne personally selected country singer Glen Campbell to co-star as the Texas Ranger.
The film has held up well over the years. Campbell's acting could be better and so could Darby's. One can't help knowing that you are watching John Wayne, even though he gives a hell of a performance. Much like Tom Cruise, Robert DeNiro or Jack Nicholson, these actors know longer have the ability to disappear into a role, their celebrity outshines the performance.
Strother Martin as a horse trader and Robert Duvall as "Lucky" Ned Pepper stand out in the supporting cast. The film lacks the authenticity and realism of early settlement life we have come to expect in movies today, but it has great cinematography and a wonderful score by Elmer Bernstein.
Wayne received is only Oscar for acting and the film was also nominated for Best Song (the song is kind of dreadful. Anytime you try to force the words True Grit into a ballad you are in trouble.)
Its interesting to compare True Grit with the other big western of 1969, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. True Grit has a fan following, but Butch Cassidy has become a benchmark in film history.
At The Movie House rating *** stars
1 comment:
Very good review, right on target...I too saw this movie in 1969 at the Pequa Theater...I think I remember seeing oyu there, what a coincidence...Enjoyed this movie as a youth and always was fond of the idea that I saw Wayne's oscar role in the theater when it came out. It was also on TV the other night and I enjoyed it though your 3 star ranking is accurate. I look forward to the new oine
PS...tonight I saw the fighter...be ready for Bale to get an Oscar
Post a Comment