The River Angler

I watched the new True Grit movie recently.  I can’t say that I was disappointed because I knew it wouldn’t be as good as Duke’s version.  I know that the Coen brothers wanted to make a movie that was a closer depiction of the book, but nevertheless, there were always going to be comparisons.

To me, John Wayne is Rooster Cogburn and there can only be one True Grit and it was his version.  Certainly, Jeff Bridges’ portrayal added a much darker, earthier element to the character, but it lacked the lovable rogue quality that Wayne brought to the role. A role in which he almost parodied himself.  It remains to this day one of the finest westerns ever made.