2010 - True Grit

Awards season is well and truly under way now with most of the critics groups releasing their top picks, including nominations from the Golden Globes and the Critics Choice Awards. There are a few films that seem to be appearing again and again on these lists - Wicked, Anora, The Brutalist, Conclave, Nickel Boys, Dune: Part Two - suggesting these are the frontrunners for Oscar's top prize. Personally, I tend to be wary of the "critics mirage" since the critics' preferences don't always align with those who work in the industry. It's not uncommon for a film or actor to sweep the critics' awards yet find themselves left off the shortlist on Oscar nomination day. That said, I expect those films above will remain in the conversation (particularly since there are 10 Best Picture nominee slots to fill) but it would be wise to wait for the nomination announcements from the guilds and other industry organisations, including BAFTA, to see exactly which ones have the staying power.

Back to the 2010 Best Picture race, I recently viewed another of its nominees...


True Grit
Director:
Joel & Ethan Coen
Screenplay:
Joel & Ethan Coen
(based on the novel by Charles Portis)
Starring:
Jeff Bridges, Hailee Steinfeld, Matt Damon, Josh Brolin, Barry Pepper, Domhnall Gleeson
Academy Awards:
10 nominations
0 wins

Based on the same source novel as the 1969 John Wayne movie of the same name, this version is an attempt at a more faithful adaptation. Well, as faithful as a Coen brothers movie can be. Our heroine is Mattie Ross (Steinfeld), who narrates the story of how she hired past-his-prime U.S. Marshal Rooster Cogburn (Bridges) to help her track down and bring to justice Tom Chaney (Brolin), the outlaw who murdered her father.

From the first shot, this picture looks positively gorgeous, thanks to Roger Deakins' beautiful cinematography. With its sweeping landscapes, it's the sort of visual style you'd expect from a grand epic, yet this is far more intimate and personal. The dramatis personae are relatively few and the runtime falls short of two hours, creating a tight story that remains engrossing throughout. And then there's the language. The Coen brothers clearly enjoy playing with language and True Grit is no exception. While the formal-sounding dialogue (not a single contraction is spoken!) may be a little distracting at times, it certainly sets a uniquely fascinating tone.

Rooster Cogburn is one of those rare characters for which two actors have received Oscar nominations. John Wayne won for his turn in the earlier version, but while Jeff Bridges was also shortlisted for this remake, he had already won an Oscar a year earlier with Crazy Heart and didn't pull off back-to-back wins. Nonetheless, he steals the show with his fantastic portrayal of the multi-faceted lawman. In her breakout role, Hailee Steinfeld holds her own as the precocious and insistent teenager with a mile-a-minute cadence. She does well with the aforementioned distinctive dialogue, but it's the silent moments of reflection where she truly shines. In those instances, her less-is-more technique is spot on. Matt Damon, Josh Brolin and Barry Pepper also bring their A-games in effective supporting roles. Another bright spot is a young Domhnall Gleeson (pictured) in an early film role. And if you listen carefully, you can briefly hear the voice of J.K. Simmons as Mattie's lawyer.

On nominations morning, True Grit found itself second only to The King's Speech in total Oscar nominations. Its 10 nods, including Best Picture, are a testament to its exceptional achievement across many filmmaking disciplines, yet on Oscar night, it failed to pick up a single award.