TRUE GRIT

I saw this in the theaters.  I never saw the original with John Wayne.  I didn't know what to expect..  The Coen brothers are known for non-mainstream movies more of an independent film feel .  The are most known for "No Country for Old Men", "Fargo", Burn After Reading, and "The Big Lebowski".  Kings of the black comedy genre.. I get the art of it but it's not my favorite...

However this movie...  I loved...

Hailee Steinfeld.  She played 14 year old Mattie.  I think she's an oscar contender. Rightfully so.. She was able to hold her own in her scenes with Jeff Bridges (who was brilliant) and Matt Damon.  And though, her character was cold, hard, stubborn, quick-tongued, and great at bargaining.

The movie was greatly written by the brothers with weaving of sense of humor and drama.  But the musical score should not be ignored in making this film great.

.  I don't know I may be bias because an old hymn was used.  The19th century presbyterian hymn, Leaning on the everlasting arms.  They were building on this theme of Mattie's character and they wanted to use a hymn.  This is what I found, they were basing on this direction..

"The story takes place in the 1870's and Mattie has never seen a Hollywood Western, nor read a Western novel. Her pieties come from her knowledge of the Bible, and her courage is really a Presbyterian self-righteousness, wedded to a passion for balancing accounts. The book is narrated by Mattie and you never forget her church background because it's present in her voice on every page. She doesn't narrate the body of the film, however, and I came to think that a score based on church music would put her quest in context and make her unbelievable story believable." A quote by the music composer "Carter Burwell."

Even though I'm sure  Mattie ,who was a product of being raised in a Christian home but yet she found herself a little jaded as well, took  her faith to an eye for an  eye approach.  I guess that is the "self-righteousness"  they were talking about.  

Carter Burwell score was perfect and gave movement and also gave the emotional sense that was underlined but not acted out in the characters but it was there and the music gave that.... and helped to  create this bond between Mattie, marshall and the texas ranger.  The instrumental of this hymn in the beginning was genius.  And since Burwell used the hymn as the basis of his score, he is ineligible for an oscar nod.  Too bad because it's really good.  

A must for seeing the movie in theaters.