# The Coen Brothers' next movie: True Grit **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 31, 2009, 5:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-coen-brothers-next-movie-true-grit/523155 "2009-12-31T05:17:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2010, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-coen-brothers-next-movie-true-grit/523155/121 "2010-09-01T00:39:45Z")
> [@Spoke](#): > > Wayne was born for that role, Bridges was not. The difference being that Bridges can make a role his own without having been “born for” it. (clears throat) Dropping the argumentative smartass posturing now, to ask a sincere question. Aside from True Grit, what do you consider to be Wayne’s three finest performances as an actor? Not his best films – his best performances. No kidding. I’m interested. . ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2010, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-coen-brothers-next-movie-true-grit/523155/122 "2010-09-01T00:39:56Z")
> [@Spoke](#): > > “Stoned surfer” is not what the role of Rooster Cogburn requires. Drunken, one eyed fat US Marshall, perhaps. 😉 > [@Spoke](#): > > (And please spare us the affliction of more badly faked Southern accents.) What is that a reference to? ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2010, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-coen-brothers-next-movie-true-grit/523155/123 "2010-09-01T00:55:19Z")
_Crazy Heart_, I’m assuming. I’ve heard a lot worse attempts than what Bridges did in that movie. I’m originally from the South and fake Southern accents normally sound pretty obvious and bad to me, but Jeff Bridges was passable. Maggie Gyllenhaals’, on the other hand, was awful. She was badly miscast in that movie and I think hurt it. A better (and older) actress in that role would have served the film a lot better and could have elevated it. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2010, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-coen-brothers-next-movie-true-grit/523155/124 "2010-09-01T00:59:57Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > _Crazy Heart_, I’m assuming. I’ve heard a lot worse attempts than what Bridges did in that movie. I’m originally from the South and fake Southern accents normally sound pretty obvious and bad to me, but Jeff Bridges was passable. I’ve not seen the movie. I thought you were talking about Glenn Campbell’s horrible acting, where he sounds as though he is reading the lines for the first time from a teleprompter. 🙂 At least some Arkansans sound like Texans. ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2010, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-coen-brothers-next-movie-true-grit/523155/125 "2010-09-01T01:27:18Z")
> [@TreacherousCretin](#): > > Dropping the argumentative smartass posturing now, to ask a sincere question. Aside from True Grit, what do you consider to be Wayne’s three finest performances as an actor? Not his best films – his best performances. I really think [The Cowboys](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0068421/) is his best work. I thought he was great in [The Shootist](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0075213/). And he gave a fine performance in [The Quiet Man](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0045061/). As for horrible fake Southern accents, it was a general comment, not specifically directed at Bridges. The Cohens have delivered us their share of bad ones between Tom Hanks in _The Ladykillers_ and John Turturro in _O Brother Where Art Thou?_ ---
**Author:** ![BrotherCadfael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@BrotherCadfael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrotherCadfael)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2010, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-coen-brothers-next-movie-true-grit/523155/126 "2010-09-01T01:28:50Z")
> [@Spoke](#): > > > [@woodstockbirdybird](#): > > > > Don’t you mean “any mortal could”? John Wayne was the Keanu Reeves of his era. > > I don’t think anyone could watch his performances in _The Cowboys_ and _The Shootist_ and continue to believe that. Yeah, they could just say “Well, he’s OK in Westerns, but he can’t act in REAL movies.” Of course they could only say that if they were completely ignorant… of such films as “In Harm’s Way”. Wayne could sure as hell act. But, anyway, my question is who gets to play the Hepburn part in the inevitable sequel? ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2010, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-coen-brothers-next-movie-true-grit/523155/127 "2010-09-01T01:35:39Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > _Crazy Heart_, I’m assuming. I’ve heard a lot worse attempts than what Bridges did in that movie. I’m originally from the South and fake Southern accents normally sound pretty obvious and bad to me, but Jeff Bridges was passable. Yeah, he was OK in _Crazy Heart_. That’s what gives me hope. I’m more worried about Mattie’s accent, but we’ll see. Matt Damon (_All the Pretty Horses_) and Josh Brolin (_No Country for Old Men_) have proven they can do passable accents. ---
**Author:** ![Equipoise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/equipoise/32/151_2.png) [@Equipoise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Equipoise)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2010, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-coen-brothers-next-movie-true-grit/523155/128 "2010-09-01T01:51:37Z")
> [@Spoke](#): > > Bridges is a decent actor, who nevertheless manages to bring a little bit of “stoned surfer” to every role he plays. You obviously haven’t seen enough Jeff Bridges movies. > [@Spoke](#): > > “Stoned surfer” is not what the role of Rooster Cogburn requires. I’m sure the Coens and Bridges are well aware of that. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2010, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-coen-brothers-next-movie-true-grit/523155/129 "2010-09-01T01:54:30Z")
> [@BrotherCadfael](#): > > of such films as “In Harm’s Way”. Wayne could sure as hell act. There were a lot of good actors in that movie. Kirk Douglas, Henry Fonda, Patricia Neal, Brandon de Wilde from Hud and Shane. ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2010, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-coen-brothers-next-movie-true-grit/523155/130 "2010-09-01T02:04:09Z")
> [@Equipoise](#): > > > [@Spoke](#): > > > > Bridges is a decent actor, who nevertheless manages to bring a little bit of “stoned surfer” to every role he plays. > > You obviously haven’t seen enough Jeff Bridges movies. Well thanks for the condescension, but yes. Yes I have. You, meanwhile, seem to have a crush on the man. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2010, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-coen-brothers-next-movie-true-grit/523155/131 "2010-09-01T02:09:28Z")
I have a hard time telling Jeff and Beau apart. Jeff was in _Thunderbolt and Lightfoot_, Beau is in the _Stargate_ TV series, right? ---
**Author:** ![vivalostwages](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/d07c76/32.png) [@vivalostwages](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vivalostwages)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2010, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-coen-brothers-next-movie-true-grit/523155/132 "2010-09-01T03:34:07Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > I have a hard time telling Jeff and Beau apart. Jeff was in _Thunderbolt and Lightfoot_, Beau is in the _Stargate_ TV series, right? I believe so. Beau is 8 years older but shorter, bigger eyebrows, not as many big or successful movie roles but steady work for the most part. ---
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2010, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-coen-brothers-next-movie-true-grit/523155/133 "2010-09-01T04:42:03Z")
> [@Spoke](#): > > I really think [The Cowboys](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0068421/) is his best work. I thought he was great in [The Shootist](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0075213/). And he gave a fine performance in [The Quiet Man](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0045061/). Duly noted. I’ll keep these in mind and have a look sometime. Maybe I’ll even learn something, although I hate it when that happens. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2010, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-coen-brothers-next-movie-true-grit/523155/134 "2010-09-01T14:19:09Z")
Thanks, **Equipoise** , for the great overview of Bridges’s career. He does have amazing range. I suspect his performance as Marshal Cogburn will compliment, perhaps even surpass, but not displace Wayne’s. ---
**Author:** ![BrotherCadfael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@BrotherCadfael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrotherCadfael)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2010, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-coen-brothers-next-movie-true-grit/523155/135 "2010-09-02T00:56:09Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > > [@BrotherCadfael](#): > > > > of such films as “In Harm’s Way”. Wayne could sure as hell act. > > There were a lot of good actors in that movie. Kirk Douglas, Henry Fonda, Patricia Neal, Brandon de Wilde from Hud and Shane. AND John Wayne! ---
**Author:** ![Tarwater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/9de0a6/32.png) [@Tarwater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tarwater)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2010, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-coen-brothers-next-movie-true-grit/523155/136 "2010-09-27T23:17:17Z")
Watch the trailer [here](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uco41pOKeJg&feature=player_embedded), if you haven’t yet seen it. Seems like it could be okay. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2010, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-coen-brothers-next-movie-true-grit/523155/137 "2010-09-28T00:25:39Z")
Maybe…I saw two Navy Colts instead of a [saddle ring carbine.](http://www.imfdb.org/index.php/True_Grit#Winchester_1892_.22Saddle_Ring_Carbine.22) I didn’t hear, “I call that bold talk for a one eyed fat man.”, nor “Fill your hand, you son of a bitch!” ---
**Author:** ![Satchmo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/satchmo/32/4223_2.png) [@Satchmo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Satchmo)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2010, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-coen-brothers-next-movie-true-grit/523155/138 "2010-09-28T00:55:16Z")
> [@Oakminster](#): > > > [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > > > So don’t see it, already. Yeesh. > > You don’t understand. Far more than my own tender sensibilities are at stake. This is leisure suits with big hair wrapped in tofu with shiny rims and boom-boom speakers that rattle the windows of innocent football fans. This is a Wrongness so vile, twisted, and irretrievably evil it is sure to waken the Elder Gods who will unleash their wrath upon us all. DOOOOOOOOOOOM! I’m going out on a limb here and guess that you’d probably prefer this particular film not be made. I wish you’d come right out and say what you mean! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Equipoise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/equipoise/32/151_2.png) [@Equipoise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Equipoise)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2010, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-coen-brothers-next-movie-true-grit/523155/139 "2010-09-28T01:48:41Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > …nor “Fill your hand, you son of a bitch!” That wasn’t in the [original trailer](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tN-j4GDqjv4&feature=related) either. Watching that original trailer made me remember how much I love that movie. I am looking forward to the remake, but the original will always have a special place in my heart. The dialogue is so arch, not a contraction in sight, and boy do they all pull it off. “And I think I will not go!” Forget Jeff Bridges filling John Wayne’s shoes. He’ll be alright and make the role his own. Forget Matt Damon filling Glen Campbell’s shoes. He’ll be much better. Forget Josh Brolin filling Robert Duvall’s shoes. He’ll be alright and make the role his own. I need to see if Hailee Steinfeld will be anywhere near as wonderful as Kim Darby. That’ll make or break the movie for me. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2010, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-coen-brothers-next-movie-true-grit/523155/140 "2010-09-28T01:52:40Z")
> [@Equipoise](#): > > Forget Matt Damon filling Glen Campbell’s shoes. He’ll be much better. A randomly picked eighteen year old football player from a midwestern high school team that lost every game it ever played would do better than Glen Campbell. My dog would do better, save that she cannot speak and has no fingers to hold a firearm. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-coen-brothers-next-movie-true-grit/523155.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-coen-brothers-next-movie-true-grit/523155.md?page=8)