True Grit

Interestingly, I bumped this one up a bit.

I have two daughters, and I was trying to find just the right movie that would give them guidance to let them realize that women rule the world.  They always have and always will, by the way.

Image from:  http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/true-grit-2010/pictures/#58

While I have seen bits and pieces of the John Wayne classic, it never struck me as any great insight into the mind and true power of women.  However, the remake with Jeff Bridges, Matt Damon, Josh Brolin, and the amazing Hailee Steinfeld captured my attention from the first scene.  More than that however, the movie highlights the wit and wisdom of a young girl as she navigates the dangerous and violent ways of men.

Quite honestly, its brilliant in so many ways.  Full disclosure here, I am not a huge Coen brothers fan.  I did enjoy Fargo, but the others I have seen have not had a lasting impression on me.  

Jeff Bridges truly is a master of acting.  His portrayal as Rooster Cogburn is a huge departure from John Wayne, but you truly don't care in the least.  So well acted, you can literally smell the alcohol off his breath.  A commanding presence to be sure.  He represents what so many men can succumb to.  Sheer desperation. He is lovable and loath-able.  But brilliant, truly brilliant.

Matt Damon also plays a capable second fiddle as he portrays the "honorable" Texas Ranger, LaBoeuf.  He is a counter balance of course for Cogburn as they search for the villianous, Tom Chaney, in a supporting role deftly portrayed by Josh Brolin.  

But the scene stealer is Steinfeld.  She portrays smarts, courage, and even cunning to lead this bumbling duo of Cogburn and LeBoeuf to capture the murderer of her father.  The Coen's didn't make her out to be the ultimate warrior, that so many recent movies have tried to portray.  To do so, would have insulted the book and the historical time period from which it was written. Instead, they gave her a dignified femininity and feminism that was authentic.

That is what I want my daughters to take away from this film.  First, men and women are different, no matter how much the media tries to portray differently.  But, women have the ultimate power that will lead men to almost any challenge and opportunity.  Micheal Gurian's book, The Wonder of Boys, made me realize that men are aggressive, and their aggression needs to be channeled in appropriate ways or it can lead to great destruction.  Mattie Ross provides each man with a focus to put their aggressive tendencies towards a good cause, namely justice for Mattie.  

The character of Mattie Ross defines the narrative and also provides a model for my daughters to follow.  Be smart, be courageous, be wary of men and their nature, but use it to your advantage.

Brilliant film.  Please rent it.  An American classic.