Translation: two thumbs up

I went to see "True Grit" with my family earlier this week, and really enjoyed the film. I don't think I'm in a position to analyze the movie much, seeing as how I've never seen the original version with John Wayne, but I think my mom's reaction when we were leaving the theater stands out. Her initial thoughts: "I didn't think I'd ever like a Coen Brothers movie."

That pretty much sums things up. My folks have never been into the Coens' work, saying it's all just a little too weird for them. (Sad words to hear for a Big Lebowski fan like me.) But "True Grit" is different. It's just a straight-up western movie. Wrongs are done, there are gunfights and colorful characters, outlaws are beaten and the day is saved, but at a great price. It may be a little bit more graphically violent than a classic western, but certainly nothing compared to, say, "No Country for Old Men."

So, basically if you're into westerns but not Coen-style quirkiness, check this movie out. If you're looking for something darker or stranger, more Coen-ey, give it a pass.