Splatter: on FILM

The Coen brothers take on a muscular script with ease in this classic western. Yes, a remake, but the Coens could never simply re-make, they must re-create! The acting rides as phenomenally over the gorgeous terrain as it does the haunting and trustworthy repeated hymn “Leaning on the Everlasting Arms.” There is a sensitivity to story that I respect, despite the ending. I’m glad that I’ve been well warned about the gore in Coen films, as they like to show the severed hand… In True Grit, however, their words (from a recent appearance on Charlie Rose) were something to the degree of, “Since our main character is a fourteen year old girl, we wanted fourteen year old girls to be able to – to want to see it.” So they tame it quite a bit. The characters are entirely loveable. Even old “Bear Claw” from Jeremiah Johnson seems to make a classy a cameo in his bear head hat. Almost as classy as Coen’s own cameo. (Watch for the man posted at the river). The film is very funny, but carries the heaviness of a raw burden for revenge.  This mingles into tension throughout. Anne Shirley would say that the humor is “almost pace for the thud.”

“What have I to dread, what have i to fear, leaning on the everlasting arms. What a blessed peace, with my Lord so near, leaning on the everlasting arms.

Leaning, leaning, safe and secure from all alarms, Leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms.” – Hoffman & Showalter