New at BOP: Review: Matrix Resurrections Movie Review: Moonfall Movie Reviews: Scream The #1 Movie in America November Forecast The Many Saints of Newark October Forecast New Trivia Question All site updates Share & Save   Tweet Print this column

What also worked in the film’s favor was that unlike many Coen Brothers films, this was a PG-13. When talking to the New York Times about the film’s performance, Paramount’s vice chairman Rob Moore revealed that extended families were viewing the film in groups, from grandparents to teenagers, which was helped by the PG-13 rating. Being viewed by such large groups could also be attributed to having the film released over Christmas (what with families getting together and going out to see a film over the holidays). Given what was also available, True Grit seemed like the best option for all the family due to the level of quality and also the lack of prior knowledge needed compared to the sequels on offer, such as The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, Tron Legacy and Little Fockers. Tied in with the fantastic word-of-mouth, which couldn’t have spread at a better time, as well as the lack of competition, True Grit was quite simply the best option.

The New York Times also asked Joel Coen if he had any idea as to why the film was performing so well. His response was, “None at all.” However, the brothers later pointed out that the PG-13 rating had helped make their film more accessible to a younger audience. “We knew we wanted it to be a movie younger people could watch,” said Joel, possibly in an effort to bring the story of True Grit to a new audience that hadn’t previously seen or read it.

True Grit was nominated for ten Oscars. When told of the nominations, the Coen Brothers said in a joint statement, “Ten seems like an awful lot. We don’t want to take anyone else’s.” The Academy must have been paying attention, for the film won none.

I viewed True Grit on the big screen on its opening weekend. While I enjoyed it, I was slightly underwhelmed upon that first viewing. I saw it as a lean, mean revenge movie. The Coen Brothers had taken a simple premise and kept it that way. Yet, this is why the film works so well. Anything else would deviate from the story and ruin it. “We didn't think we should mess around with what we thought was a very compelling story and character,” said Joel to the New York Times about adapting the novel. During a second viewing I was able to appreciate it all just that little bit more.

Everything seemed to be in the film’s favour; the reviews, the outstanding cast and the release date. I imagine that if it were released outside of Christmas, we might be looking at a lower box office total. That the Coen Brothers had produced a good film meant that this was clearly going to be a hit; yet, True Grit ended up being bigger than anyone could have anticipated. The undeniable aura of quality the film exudes is one factor, but the somewhat lucky circumstances of when it was released and how well it played meant that many got to experience it.

Continued:       1       2       3