September 2011—

reviews by Shannon Bowman-Sarkisian

True Grit

Joel and Ethan Coen are masters of magical realism. The brothers have written and directed a menagerie of cult favorites, critical as well as commercial hits, and Oscar-winning movies including No Country for Old Men, Fargo and O Brother, Where Art Thou? They create impossible worlds and characters that look familiar. Their fairy tales take place in houses and bowling alleys, not castles.

True Grit is no exception. A remake of the 1969 feature starring John Wayne, this movie bears the unmistakable stamp of the Coen brothers. True Grit is a revenge story. Young Mattie Ross (Hailee Steinfeld) decides to find her father’s killer and bring him to justice. Using her substantial powers of persuasion, Mattie collects the money she needs to hire U.S. Marshall Rooster Cogburn (Jeff Bridges) to track Tom Chaney (Josh Brolin). Complications arise when a Texas Ranger (Matt Damon) tries to capture Tom Chaney and bring him back to the Lone Star State.

It’s often frustrating for fans of classic movies to watch their favorites being remade into newer films that have no substance. Fans of the original True Grit have no need to worry about its legacy. The contemporary version stands on its own. The writing and direction are wonderful. The actors are superb. True Grit is the kind of well-rounded, enjoyable movie that audiences have come to expect from the Coen brothers.

True Grit, available on DVD, is rated PG-13 for some intense sequences of western violence including disturbing images. Running time: 110 minutes.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II

“It all ends” is the tagline for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II and truly, this is the end of an epic tale. A generation of children has grown up with the adventures of Harry, Ron and Hermione. Plenty of adults have delved into the stories as well. Will millions be affected by post-Harry Potter letdown, like a newlywed couple after their big day? Luckily, fans will at least feel the satisfaction of a well-crafted tale coming to a close.

Deathly Hallows: Part II picks right up where Part I stopped — with Harry (Daniel Radcliffe), Ron (Rupert Grint), and Hermione (Emma Watson) regrouping at Shell Cottage. They enlist the help of Griphook (Warwick Davis, who also appears as Professor Filius Flitwick), the goblin they saved from Malfoy Manor, to break into Gringotts Wizarding Bank. And so begins their journey to destroy the remaining horcruxes and stop Lord Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes) from taking over the muggle and magic worlds. Along the way, the trio ride a dragon; sneak into Hogwarts; fight two larger-than-life battles against Death Eaters, trolls, werewolves, trolls and Dementors; learn secrets about Severus Snape (Alan Rickman); and rescue longtime enemy Draco Malfoy (Tom Felton).

There are some minor issues in Deathly Hallows: Part II. Steve Kloves’ script glances over some important details that may leave viewers who haven’t read the book a bit lost. However, these small imperfections don’t detract from this otherwise fine film. It is a fitting goodbye to an era that began with a little boy living in a cupboard under the stairs at 4 Privet Drive.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II, in theaters now, is rated PG-13 for some sequences of intense action violence and frightening images. Running time: 130 minutes.