The Brothers Coen

Got me some True Grit in the cinemaaaarr the other day. Great film. I'm sure I've seen, but can't remember the John Wayne version. Probably as a Bill Collins Midday Movie or one of Ivan Hutchington's Channel 7 specials. Ahhhh those were the days.

But I digress.

I love a production from the Brothers Coen. Regardless of film, the main Coenism I enjoy is their use of language. The repeated phrases, the short punchlines, the fast pace, the rhythm of triplicate and the catchphrases.

"This Aint no 'coon hunt" as a one off did take the cake though. "I'm a Texas Ranger" was repeated and got more giggles every time. Matt Damon's character was laugh out loud funny and he was obviously having great fun, hamming it up shamelessly. I certainly did not expect the film to be such a strong comedy, but more like "No Country for Old Men". Consequently "True Grit" reminded me of "O Brother Where Art Thou?". The humour, the very textured period setting, and the quality and style of music. In both, the drawn out camera shots of fabric, timber, leather, costumes, the landscape and built environment emesh the viewer in the period of the piece, against some great american folk music. Very Coen.

Like another great Coen film, "Intolerable Cruelty", the "True Grit"court scene is also tres amusant, using turns on language to bring out the wry humour and essence of the scene. The best Coen Bros line still stands, from "Intolerable Cruelty" with the examination of Heinz, the Baron Krauss von Espy (aka Puffy). The judge repremanding the witness very simply whilst the directors make a sly comment on the inwardness of USA culture and misunderstading of a foreign launguage.

Court Official: Mr. Krauss, do you solemnly swear that--
Baron: Krauss von Espy.
Court Official: Mr. Krauss von Espy, do you solemnly--
Baron: Baron Krauss von Espy.
Court Official: ...solemnly swear that the testimony you are about to give shall be the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help you God?
Baron: -Mais bien sur.
Judge: - No maybes.
Baron: Mais bien sur. But of course. The Baron does not lie.

It's very fast and excellent.

Surely the Cohen's scriptwriting has been an inspiration to king of machine-gun--quick-script-wit of Aaron Sorkin. I could give more quotes but shan't. You get the point. I wonder if the name of the Baron was in honour of Alison Krauss who sang on the O Brother soundtrack? Who knows.

True Grit is not as faced paced as other Cohen films, being more steady, dramatic and filled with landscape. Great performances by all, excellent screenplay and photography which balance out the humour, giving the film a richness and depth that the other Coen brother films mentioned do not (aim to) have. Great texture and depth, good story with the coen quirky humour I enjoy and by all accounts not a re-make.